Clemson Pitcher to Miss Start of Season After Arrest

Transfer hurler Ariston Veasey faces disciplinary action following an altercation at a local bar.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Clemson baseball head coach Erik Bakich announced that transfer pitcher Ariston Veasey will miss the start of the season after being arrested last month on misdemeanor charges related to an altercation at a local downtown bar. Bakich did not disclose the exact length of Veasey's absence, but said the right-hander would be "out for a little bit of time" to start the year.

Why it matters

Veasey was expected to be part of Clemson's pitching rotation this season after transferring from Alabama, where he made only five appearances over his first two collegiate campaigns. His absence at the start of the year is a setback for the Tigers as they look to build on a 2025 season that saw them reach the NCAA Tournament.

The details

According to Bakich, Veasey made "a bad decision for five seconds" that led to the arrest and subsequent disciplinary action. The head coach emphasized that Veasey is "a great kid and an extremely hard worker" and that the team expects to have him "competing for Clemson sooner rather than later."

  • Veasey was arrested last month on misdemeanor charges.
  • Veasey will miss the start of the 2026 season, which begins this weekend with a home series against Army.

The players

Ariston Veasey

A right-handed pitcher who transferred to Clemson after spending his first two collegiate seasons at Alabama.

Erik Bakich

The head coach of the Clemson baseball team.

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What they’re saying

“It's like parenting. Kids make mistakes, you don't love them any less. You just own it, and you move on. And that is what we did, and he did.”

— Erik Bakich, Head Coach (theclemsoninsider.com)

“He'll be out for a little bit of time, not a long time, but a little bit of time to start the year. That's one of those situations where a really good kid makes a bad decision for five seconds, and it has a ripple effect.”

— Erik Bakich, Head Coach (theclemsoninsider.com)

What’s next

The judge in Veasey's case will determine the length of his disciplinary absence from the team.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges coaches face in balancing discipline and support for student-athletes who make poor decisions, while also ensuring the team's success is not overly disrupted. Veasey's case will be watched closely as Clemson looks to build on its 2025 NCAA Tournament appearance.