Instant Replay: Pitcher Gives Up Home Run, Waves Goodbye To Ball During College World Series

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A pitcher waved goodbye to a baseball as it sailed over his head and into the crowd for a home run during the College World Series.

Vanderbilt and Mississippi State played Game 2 of the College World Series on June 29. The Commodores entered the game with a 1-0 series lead over the Bulldogs.

During the top of the ninth inning, Mississippi State pitcher Preston Johnson gave up a home run to Vanderbilt’s Maxwell Romero Jr.

As Romero Jr.’s hit coasted over Johnson’s head, the Mississippi pitcher waved goodbye to the home run ball he’d just given up.

Me (and the broadcast crew) laughing at the Miss State pitcher waving goodbye to the ball after giving up a home run pic.twitter.com/Ks3vTN3G3q

— CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) June 30, 2021

Johnson and Mississippi State went on to win Game 2, 13-2.

The Bulldogs’ victory tied the series at one game apiece.

Let's gooooo!!!#HailState🐶 | #OmaDawgs pic.twitter.com/K1MslxLRuk

— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) June 30, 2021

“We’re ecstatic because, one, we’re still playing, and, two, we used two arms tonight,” Bulldogs coach Chris Lemonis said. “We have an opportunity to use some different guys tomorrow now because of the score. It was nice after the game. I grabbed Landon, I said, ‘Man, it was sure nice not having to pitch you tonight,’ because I feel like in every win for the last month, he has been out there.”

Mississippi State and Vanderbilt will play for the College World Series title in a decisive Game 3 on Wednesday, June 30. The game will broadcast at 5 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN2.