USF’s Kingston Suspended By NCAA

TAMPA, Fla. — University of South Florida Head Baseball Coach Mark Kingston will serve an automatic one-game suspension tonight in the Bulls’ series opener vs. UCF as well as a supplemental four games levied by the NCAA following his post-game ejection from the Bulls’ 4-3 loss at Tulane on Sunday.

“I have discussed what occurred in Tulane in depth with Mark and appreciate his candor and honesty in describing the events as he saw them,” USF Director of Athletics Mark Harlan said. “Mark is a tremendous leader and we both share a common belief in good sportsmanship and mutual respect between coaches, student-athletes and umpires.”

Kingston will continue to lead the USF program and conduct practices during the duration of the suspension. Assistant Coaches Mike Current and Billy Mohl will handle in-game managerial duties during this time.

“I acknowledge my part in a post-game exchange with an umpire that I should not have participated in,” Kingston said. “I will always support our student-athletes, but in this case allowed myself to be part of an excessive dispute. I will sit out the required games and know that our team and myself will move forward better from the lessons learned.”

USF begins a three-game series vs. in-state rival UCF Thursday with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the USF Baseball