Clemson softball’s team kept its momentum going on the first day of the Clemson Classic.
The ninth-ranked Tigers began the home portion of their schedule with a pair of wins Friday at McWhorter Stadium. After run-ruling Boston in its tournament opener, Clemson capped an unblemished day with a 2-0 win over Saint Francis in front of a capacity crowd of 1,616 fans.
The Tigers (9-3) will go for their fifth straight win when they continue tournament play against Akron at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Since starting the winning streak by blanking then-No. 5 Washington in its final game of the St. Pete-Clearwater Classic last week, Clemson has outscored its opponents 17-2.
Clemson’s latest win didn’t come easy. The teams were scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when Sam Russ reached on a one-out single and stole second to move into scoring position. Russ advanced to third on McKenzie Clark’s flyout to right, but the throw back into the infield got away from shortstop Jordan Pietrzykoski, allowing Russ to scamper home.
Marissa Guimbarda then doubled home pinch-runner Carlee Shannon to provide further support for right-hander Regan Spencer, who combined with Game 1 starter Valerie Cagle to yield just eight hits on the day. Spencer, who had pitched just 4 ⅔ innings on the season coming in, got some help from her defense throughout to face just four batters over the minimum.
Saint Francis loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the second. Spencer induced a popout and a groundout to third baseman Alia Logoleo, who threw home for the second out. JoJo Hyatt’s throw to first trying to complete the double play was late, but Bailey Taylor threw back to Hyatt to nab Rachel Marsden trying to score from second to keep the Red Flash off the board.
The Red Flash got the leadoff hitter on in the fifth when Logoleo threw wide of first base on Jordan Frank’s grounder, but Frank was thrown out trying to advance to third on the play. Saint Francis’ final threat came in the seventh when the Red Flash’s first two batters reached, but shortstop Maddie Moore stabbed Marsden’s liner and turned it into a double play. Spencer then got Ashley Orischak to fly out to preserve another shutout.
This story will be updated.