Louisville’s Luke Smith’s expletive-filled taunt backfires vs. Vanderbilt

Louisville pitcher Luke Smith unleashed some profanity after striking out a Vanderbilt hitter, but it backfired as the Commodores rallied in the ninth to reach the Finals of the College World Series.

Luke Smith was pitching the game of his career for Louisville. Then, he found out when keeping it real goes wrong.

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Smith was dealing for eight innings vs. No. 2 Vanderbilt in the College World Series and after an 8th inning strikeout of Julian Infante, the 10th of the night, Smith unleashed some NSFW words at Infante. Louisville took a 2-1 lead to the ninth inning, but the profanity-laced adrenaline rush of words from Smith backfired on Louisville because it served as fuel for the Dores comeback.

Vanderbilt rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to take a 3-2 lead and wound up winning and advancing to the College World Series Finals against Michigan that begins on Monday.

Smith’s outburst is what many fans of baseball have said they welcome. They want emotions to be a part of the game. Whether it’s bat flips or pitchers celebrating big strikeouts, that’s the human element that many fans say they want.

Smith chalked it up to adrenaline and says he respects Vanderbilt and celebrations are just a part of baseball. He got his first loss of the season, so he might be aware next time the adrenaline hits him about how he unleashes that fury.

“Vanderbilt is a great team,” Smith said after the game, via ESPN, “and I respect — I love that part of baseball. When they got their big hit in the ninth, they celebrate. That’s how it goes. When I strike somebody out, I celebrate, and that’s just the way it is.”

You can watch Vanderbilt play Michigan for the College World Series beginning on Monday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.