Clemson softball – Page 15 – Syndication Server

Softball Week 3 in Rewind: Rittman, Tigers rack up five wins and many firsts

The Clemson softball team walked away from another full week of competition last week, adding five more wins to their record along with being named tournament champs of the Clemson Classic at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson. The Tigers began play last …

The Tigers began play last week with a midweek matchup, traveling to Charlotte, N.C. to take on the 49ers. Thanks to a monster two-run bomb to left field in the fourth inning by graduate Marissa Guimbarda, Clemson came away with the 5-2 win over Charlotte, handing the Niners just their second loss of the season. In the circle, Millie Thompson earned her first win of the season with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work.

Following the win on Wednesday, Clemson opened up play at McWhorter Stadium for the 2022 season with the Clemson Classic. On Friday, the Tigers faced two opponents in Boston University and St. Francis, shutting out both teams 8-0 and 2-0, respectively, and securing Clemson’s spot in the championship game on Saturday.

Bright spots for Clemson on Friday included redshirt sophomore Alia Logoleo’s walk-off, two-run homer in the fifth to earn the run-rule win over Boston University, and sophomore righthander Regan Spencer pitching her way to her first career complete game in the circle versus the St. Francis Red Flashes.

Into the final day of competition for the Clemson Classic, Clemson took the field against Akron early Saturday afternoon, coming away with a 10-5 win over the Zips. En route to their fifth straight victory, freshman Brooke McCubbin earned the win in the circle along with Valerie Cagle getting her second save of the season in relief.

Both McKenzie Clark and Aby Vieira had a stellar game for the Tigers versus the Zips. Clark recorded the program’s first inside-the-park home run, going 4-for-4 at the plate and scoring three runs, while Vieira earned her first collegiate grand slam of her career.

Clemson faced Boston University once again Saturday evening in the Clemson Classic championship game. The Tigers jumped ahead early versus the Terriers with a 1-0 lead in the first, but Clemson blew the game wide open in the third, ultimately coming away with the 7-3 win and overall tournament victory thanks to freshman Maddie Moore’s two-run homer to left field, the first of her collegiate career. Lefthander Millie Thompson earned her second win of the week in the circle versus Boston University with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

“Great weekend for the Tigers,” head coach John Rittman told the media on Saturday. “Doubleheader each day, obviously we’re thrilled with the sweep both days and coming out with the tournament championship. A lot of great things happened this weekend in our program. I thought we made some growth in a lot of areas. Number one, our pitching did really well this weekend. I think tonight Millie [Thompson] didn’t have her A stuff, but just went out there and competed like she always does and got the victory. Brooke [McCubbin] came in, in relief and did well.

“Offensively, a lot of things happened this weekend, a lot of people stepped up in different situations. Tonight, in particular, Marissa Guimbarda, Sam Russ, Valerie Cagle with the big hit there late to give us an insurance run. Very pleased with our performance and a lot to build on for this upcoming week.”

Up next, the Tigers host Gardner-Webb for a midweek matchup on Tuesday, March 1, at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. Clemson opens up ACC play later in the week with a three-game weekend series versus No. 7 Virginia Tech. Game one is scheduled for Friday, March 4, at McWhorter Stadium with first pitch set for 5 p.m.

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Bart Boatwright’s Sunday Softball Photo Gallery

Clemson kept the winning streak alive Saturday as they won two and took home the title for the Clemson Classic. Check out some great pictures of Clemson softball from Saturday’s play in Bart Boatwright’s Photo Gallery.

Clemson kept the winning streak alive Saturday as they won two and took home the title for the Clemson Classic.

Check out some great pictures of Clemson softball from Saturday’s play in Bart Boatwright’s Photo Gallery.

Clemson softball handles Boston, sweeps Clemson Classic

Clemson softball finished off the Clemson Classic and its weekend slate with a pair of wins Saturday at McWhorter Stadium. After taking care of Akron in a 10-5 victory earlier this afternoon, Clemson (11-3) returned Saturday night to cap off the …

Clemson softball finished off the Clemson Classic and its weekend slate with a pair of wins Saturday at McWhorter Stadium.

After taking care of Akron in a 10-5 victory earlier this afternoon, Clemson (11-3) returned Saturday night to cap off the classic with a 7-3 win over Boston University (5-8).

This weekend, Clemson outscored its opponents 27-7 and in doing so, managed to rifle off four-straight victories. The ninth-ranked Tigers were able to extend their winning streak to six and have now won 20 straight home games dating back to last season.

In the Tigers’ latest victory, right-fielder Marissa Guimbarda (2-4) led the way. She drove in another three runs and now is tied for the team lead in RBIs with 12 on the season.

That was all the run support that Millie Thompson (2-0) would need, as she mowed down Boston with another solid outing

Thompson — a left-hander out of Bedford (Va.) — surrendered a leadoff double, but didn’t allow any runs to pass in the top half of the first. She settled down and allowed two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.

She was replaced by Brooke McCubbin (2-1) with two outs in the top of the six.

McCubbin pitched four scoreless in a winning effort against Akron, earlier Saturday. She came out of the bullpen and recorded four outs — despite giving up a run — to help notch the 11th win of the season for Clemson.

The Tigers were able to jump out to a 6-0 lead thanks to a five-run third inning. Guimbarda drove in a pair of runs, while true freshman shortstop Maddie Moore (1-3) deposited a two-run home run into the left-field corner, the first of her career.

Sophomore third-baseman Alia Logoleo (3-3) also batted in a run in the home half of the third inning. She was the only Tiger to record three hits on the night.

Valerie Cagle (1-3) later added her lone hit of the evening with an RBI double.

Clemson will look to continue its winning streak Tuesday, as the Tigers will play host to Gardner Webb before the start of ACC play.

This story will be updated

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Clemson Classic Friday Photo Gallery

Clemson softball won both of their games Friday as they opened the Clemson Classic. The Tigers defeated Boston and Saint Francis in front of a capacity crowd. Check out some great pictures of Friday’s games in TCI’s Photo Gallery. Photo’s courtesy …

Clemson softball won both of their games Friday as they opened the Clemson Classic. The Tigers defeated Boston and Saint Francis in front of a capacity crowd.

Check out some great pictures of Friday’s games in TCI’s Photo Gallery.

Photo’s courtesy Dawson Powers.

Clemson softball wins first two games of Clemson Classic

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 …

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.

Clemson softball routs Boston in walk-off fashion

A near capacity crowd turned out for Clemson softball’s home opener Saturday, and the Tigers gave their fans plenty to cheer about. Clemson walked off with a mercy-rule victory over Boston at McWhorter Stadium in its first game of the Clemson …

A near capacity crowd turned out for Clemson softball’s home opener Saturday, and the Tigers gave their fans plenty to cheer about.

Clemson walked off with a mercy-rule victory over Boston at McWhorter Stadium in its first game of the Clemson Classic. Alia Logoleo’s two-run home run capped a six-run fifth inning for the Tigers to end the game, 8-0.

Led by Cammy Pereira’s three-hit day, Clemson (8-3) pounded out 12 hits against Boston’s Allison Boaz (2-3). Logoleo and Aby Vieira each had two hits for the Tigers, who won their third straight game. Clemson will take on Saint Francis in its second game of the day at 5 p.m.

This story will be updated.

Guimbarda Homers as No. 9 Tigers Defeat Niners

Graduate Marissa Guimbarda blasted her second home run of the 2022 season in the fourth inning to spark the No. 15/9 Clemson softball offense past the No. RV/- Charlotte 49ers, 5-2. With the win on Wednesday, the Tigers improve to 7-3 on the year …

Graduate Marissa Guimbarda blasted her second home run of the 2022 season in the fourth inning to spark the No. 15/9 Clemson softball offense past the No. RV/– Charlotte 49ers, 5-2. With the win on Wednesday, the Tigers improve to 7-3 on the year and handed Charlotte its second loss.

Clemson finished with a season-high 13 hits led by Cammy Pereira and Valerie Cagle each going 3-for-4 from the plate, Guimbarda and Logoleo added two hits each, and Guimbarda led the team with three RBIs.

The Tigers struck first in the fourth inning with Cagle hitting a leadoff single. Guimbarda stepped to the plate and with a 1-1 count, sent a bomb out of left field to give Clemson the 2-0 lead. After that, the Tigers offense exploded as Pereira, Logoleo and Madison May each followed with a double to bring in another two runs.

The Niners cut Clemson’s lead in half in the bottom of the inning scoring two runs off starting pitcher Mille Thompson before freshman Brooke McCubbin would enter the circle.

Clemson added to its lead in the sixth that started with freshman Maddie Moore hitting a double into center field. Clemson went on to load the bases with two outs as Guimbarda stepped back to the plate. On the first pitch, Guimbarda was hit by a pitch to walk in Moore from home, giving Clemson the 5-2 victory.

Thompson earned her first win of the season in the circle pitching 3.2 innings with three strikeouts. McCubbin pitched 1.1 innings of relief without giving up a hit before Cagle pitched the final two innings with two strikeouts en route to her first save of 2022.

Up Next

Clemson will open its 2022 home slate when it hosts the Clemson Classic against Boston University, St. Francis and Akron. Games are scheduled to begin on Friday, Feb. 25.

Cagle pitches, hits Clemson past No. 5 Washington

Valerie Cagle did it all in Clemson’s best win of the young softball season. Cagle hurled a complete-game shutout and helped herself with a solo home run late in the 12th-ranked Tigers’ 2-0 win over No. 5 Washington on Sunday at the Clearwater Elite …

Valerie Cagle did it all in Clemson’s best win of the young softball season.

Cagle hurled a complete-game shutout and helped herself with a solo home run late in the 12th-ranked Tigers’ 2-0 win over No. 5 Washington on Sunday at the Clearwater Elite Invitational in Clearwater, Florida. Cagle allowed just five hits and struck out 10 in helping Clemson (6-3) hand the Huskies (9-1) their first loss of the season.

It was also the first win ever over a top-10 opponent for Clemson, which is going through just its third season as a program.

This story will be updated.

Clemson Drops Two on Day Three in Clearwater

The Clemson softball team (5-3) dropped two games on the third day of competition at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational in Clearwater, Fla. The Tigers opened the day with a loss to No. RV/23 Northwestern in seven innings before dropping the …

Game 1 vs. No. RV/23 Northwestern

The Tigers dropped the morning game to No. RV/23 Northwestern, 7-0, after committing some costly errors on the defensive side.

The game started with both team’s trading outs in the first and second innings. The Wildcats scored first in the top of the third after a fielding error by Clemson. The Tigers attempted to respond in the bottom of the inning after getting McKenzie Clark and Sam Russ aboard with two outs, but Russ was ruled out after leaving the base early on the next pitch.

Northwestern scored again in the fifth off a two-run homer. NU tacked on their final three runs in the sixth after Clemson made back-to-back errors that allowed runners to score.

The Tigers made one final push in the bottom of the sixth after getting two runners on with two outs, but a ground ball hit to Northwestern’s third baseman was fielded cleanly to end the inning.

Freshman Brooke McCubbin started in the circle for the Tigers. She pitched 5.1 innings and faced 29 batters as she fell to 1-1 on the year. Sophomore Regan Spencer pitched the final 1.2 innings. She faced six batters and struck out three without giving up a hit.

Game 2 vs. Wisconsin

The second game of the day began as a pitcher’s duel as the two teams traded outs until the Tigers got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth inning.

In the fourth, Madison May singled up the middle. The Tigers brought in pinch runner, Carlee Shannon, in May’s place and Shannon quickly stole second. Shannon advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by the catcher to give Clemson the 1-0 lead.

Sophomore pitcher Millie Thompson put in six innings of work in the circle for the Tigers amassing a season-high nine strikeouts, one shy from tying her career-best. She faced 24 batters, and Clemson’s defense made some incredible plays behind her to keep the Badgers from scoring in those first six innings.

Going into the seventh inning, Clemson made a pitching change to Valerie Cagle. After batters got on base early, Wisconsin went on to tie the game, 1-1, in the top of the seventh inning when Peyton Bannon scored on a wild pitch.

Wisconsin scored what would be the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning when the international tie-breaker rule placed Molly Schlosser on second base with Kayla Konwent at the plate. A single up the middle by Konwent scored Schlosser to give the Badgers the 2-1 lead over the Tigers.

Up Next

Clemson concludes action at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational tomorrow morning against No. 6/5 Washington at 9:30 a.m.

Tigers Defeat No. 15 Lady Vols in Extras

The No. 15/12 Clemson Tigers scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to seal the walk-off victory over the No. 18/15 Tennessee Lady Vols in the Tiger’s second game of the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational. With the 4-3 win, Clemson …

“Any way you can win a close game like that, you take it,” said head coach John Rittman. “There were a lot of players leaving their heart out on the field tonight. It’s early in the season so it wasn’t a perfect game, but we found a way to win a close game. Sometimes you need a little luck, and we certainly took advantage of their mistakes late in that game.

Valerie (Cagle) tested her endurance and was able to fight through some adversity to showcase how tremendous she is for us in the circle. JoJo (Hyatt) and Marissa (Guimbarda) came up with big hits for us when we needed them, and then you get in the tiebreaker where anything can happen. Our team did a good job defensively in the extra innings to not allow Tennessee to get a runner to third. We were able to take that into the bottom of the ninth in the crazy play that ended it as Maddie (Moore) had a great heads up play with solid base running and reading the ball.”

The Lady Vols got on the board first in the top of the first inning with a solo home run by Kiki Milloy to give Tennessee the early 1-0 lead.

Redshirt sophomore JoJo Hyatt came up with her second clutch performance of the weekend when she drove in two runs in the bottom half of the second inning on a single through the right side that scored Cammy Pereira and Alia Logoleo to give the Tigers the 2-1 lead.

Tennessee would add a run in the top half of the third inning to tie the game at 2-2 when a triple by McKenna Gibson scored Ivy Davis. Clemson reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a solo blast from Marissa Guimbarda over the left-field wall.

The Lady Vols tied the game at 3-3 following another solo home run from Milloy in the top half of the seventh inning to send the game into extra innings.

The Tigers went on to close things out in the ninth inning as sophomore McKenzie Clark stepped to the plate with runners on first and second with two outs. Clark would reach on a fielder’s choice as Tennessee looked to turn second. Due to a fielding error, Clemson was ruled safe at second, and Maddie Moore rounded third and headed home to score the game-winning run following an additional throwing error by UT’s pitcher to give the Tigers the 4-3 win.

Valerie Cagle pitched the full nine innings clocking 143 pitches en route to earning her third win of the season. She struck out a season-high 13 batters, one shy of her career-best 14.

Up Next:

The Tigers are back in action tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. against No. RV/23 Northwestern and then Clemson will play an afternoon game at 5:30 p.m. against Wisconsin as play continues at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational in Clearwater, Fla.