Clemson concluded their regular season on a high note today sweeping Georgia Tech in the series finale at McWhorter Stadium 3-2. The marquee win marks the 100th victory in program history.
Right handed pitcher Regan Spencer got things started in the circle with three strikeouts, allowing two runs, and two hits as the Tigers played flawless defense in the first four innings.
Neither team was able to put up runs until the bottom of the third when Cammy Pereira singled to first on a major fielding error by Georgia Tech shortstop Jin Sileo, allowing Maddie Moore to advance to second. Then McKenzie Clark flew out to right field as Moore advanced to third. With Valerie Cagle at the plate, she doubled to third base, with two RBIs as Perieira and Moore advanced to home plate. At this time the Yellowjackets welcomed a new pitcher when Lexi Ray took over for Chandler Dennis as Clemson led 2-0.
Fielding errors arose in the top of the fifth when Georgia Tech’s Sandra Beth Pritchett singled to shortstop, and Sara Beth Allen advanced to second and then third on a throwing error by Alia Logoleo. With runners on first and third, Georgia Tech’s Bailee Zeitler singled to left field, bringing Allen home. With Prichett on second and Zeitler on first, Sileo was at bat and struck out but Madison Dobbins stole third, who pinch ran for Prichett. Kennedy Cowden was on the plate and she flew out to right field, as Dobbins advanced home, game tied 2-2. Clemson was unable to respond with runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Millie Thompson, who took over for Spencer in the circle at the top of the sixth, gave Clemson momentum starting off with consecutive strikeouts but were again unable to regain their lead once on offense.
At the bottom of the seventh the Yellowjackets put in their third pitcher of the game, Blake Neleman. With a final opportunity to win, Pereira was up first and gave Clemson momentum when she singled down the left field line. Carly Shannon then entered the game pinch running for Pereira and shortly stole second. She advances to third on a wild pitch with Guimbarda at bat who was walked to first. Aby Vieira then struck out, giving them their third out and the game went into extra innings.
Thompson struckout Sileo and Cowden to start the eighth, and Ella Edgmon grounded out to second base for Georgia Tech’s third out. On their final opportunity at bat, Logoleo singles to shortstop, and Sam Russ bunts and makes it to first. Oda grounds out to second base as Russ advances to second and Logoleo advances to third. Finally, Moore singled down the left field line as Logoleo scored. Thompson finished with four strikeouts, and allowed zero runs and zero hits.
Senior day ceremonies concluded the game where Sam Russ, Carly Shannon, Emma Whitfield, Cammy Pereira, Bailey Taylor, Marissa Guimbarda, and Grace Mattimore were honored. Clemson ends their season 37-14 (14-10 ACC) as postseason play begins later this month.