Tag: Valerie Cagle

Clemson softball falls in new D1Softball Top 25 rankings

The Clemson Tigers fell three spots to No. 22 in the new D1Softball poll, released Tuesday, April 16. It’s the second straight week that Clemson has dropped in the polls. The Tigers have tumbled seven spots from No. 15 two weeks ago.

The Clemson Tigers fell three spots to No. 22 in the new D1Softball rankings, released Tuesday, April 16. It’s the second straight week that Clemson has fallen in the rankings.

The Tigers (28-14 overall, 11-7 ACC) had been ranked No. 15 two weeks earlier. Coach John Rittman’s team was swept by Duke over the weekend at McWhorter Stadium. The fourth-ranked Blue Devils (37-4) were ranked No. 1 in the nation by Softball America last week.

Texas (35-6) stayed at No. 1 in D1Softball’s rankings after another 4-0 week. The top three rankings remained the same as last week with Oklahoma (38-4) holding at No. 2 and Stanford (34-7) checking in at No. 3.

Tennessee (32-7) moved up one spot from No. 6 to round out the top five. Washington placed sixth with Oklahoma State falling three spots to No. 7. LSU, Florida, and Missouri rounded out the top 10 in D1Softball’s rankings.

No. 15 Virginia Tech and No. 16 Florida State were the only other ACC programs ranked by D1Softball.

Clemson is scheduled to face Winthrop in non-conference play Tuesday at McWhorter Stadium before traveling to Notre Dame for a weekend series. Tuesday’s game will be streamed on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).

Clemson falls four spots in weekly softball poll

NCAA Softball: The Clemson Tigers fell four spots to No. 19 in the new D1Softball poll, released Tuesday, April 9.

Clemson fell four spots in the new D1Softball Top 25 poll, released Tuesday, April 9.

The Tigers (27-11 overall) swept Syracuse over the weekend after falling to Furman in non-conference play last week. John Rittman’s team is scheduled to face South Carolina in Columbia at 7 p.m. EDT Tuesday. The Tigers will then welcome Duke to town beginning Friday for a three-game series in ACC play. Friday’s series opener will be nationally televised by ESPN2.

With Oklahoma (35-3) losing its first Big 12 conference series since 2011, there’s a new No. 1 atop D1Softball’s poll. Texas (31-6) moved into the top spot after taking two of three games from the Sooners over the weekend in Austin. OU slipped to No. 2 in the new D1Softball poll.

Stanford (No. 3, 31-6), Oklahoma State (No. 4, 33-6), and Duke (No. 5, 33-3) rounded out the top five. The Blue Devils jumped to No. 1 in this week’s Softball America rankings. Duke went 4-0 last week after sweeping North Carolina in Durham. Clemson fell to No. 25 in Softball America’s rankings.

Aside from Duke and Clemson, only two other ACC programs placed in D1Softball’s top 25: No. 14 Virginia Tech and No. 18 Florida State.

The SEC had the most ranked teams by conference with nine, including No. 6 Tennessee

Clemson softball falls in new Softball America Top 25 rankings

NCAA Softball: here’s where Softball America ranked the Clemson Tigers in their top 25 rankings for Week 9.

Clemson fell five spots to No. 25 in the new Softball America Top 25 rankings, released Monday, April 8.

Coach John Rittman’s Tigers are 27-11 overall after a 3-1 week that included a three-game series sweep of Syracuse over the weekend in upstate New York. The Tigers fell to Furman in midweek play, 4-3, at McWhorter Stadium on Tuesday.

Clemson will travel to Columbia to face South Carolina in a scheduled 7 p.m. EDT contest in midweek play Tuesday night. Next up for the Tigers in ACC play is a three-game weekend series with Duke beginning Friday night at 7 p.m. EDT at McWhorter Stadium.

The Blue Devils (33-3 overall) are the new No. 1 team in the nation in Softball America’s rankings after a 4-0 week. It’s the first time all season that someone other than Oklahoma (35-3) is atop the rankings.

The Sooners dropped two of three games over the weekend to Texas. Softball America notes that it was the Sooners’ first Big 12 series loss since 2011.

Where Clemson softball ranks in new Top 25 polls

NCAA Softball: here’s where the Clemson Tigers softball team ranked in this week’s Top 25 polls.

Clemson stayed at No. 15 in the new D1Softball Top 25 poll this week, released Tuesday, April 2.

John Rittman’s Tigers are 24-10 overall and won two of three last week in a series against Boston College at McWhorter Stadium. The Tigers’ scheduled midweek game against Georgia State was canceled due to inclement weather.

In the new USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Division I coaches poll for Week 8, the Tigers slipped one spot from last week to No. 17.

Clemson checked in at No. 20 in the new Softball America Top 25 rankings, moving up one spot in that poll.

Oklahoma (34-1) remained a unanimous No. 1 in every poll after another unbeaten week. Duke (29-3) moved up to No. 2 in the coaches poll while Texas (29-5) slipped from No. 2 to No. 4. Georgia (29-5) remained at No. 3. LSU (29-4) rounded out the top five.

Other ACC schools ranked in the coaches poll are Virginia Tech (No. 15) and Florida State (No. 18).

The Tigers are scheduled to play Furman in midweek action Tuesday at home. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT. Clemson travels to Syracuse to begin a three-game weekend series in ACC play beginning Friday.

Clemson Softball Ready for Another Huge Season

The Clemson softball team could have another huge season in 2024.

The 2024 spring semester is sure to be a good one as the Clemson Softball program prepares for its fifth season of action. After ending the 2023 season with 49 wins and its second-consecutive Super Regional appearance, the Tigers return a strong lineup in the new year that is ready to ‘Knock Down the Door’ in 2024.

The Tigers are coming off a dynamic fourth season in 2023 that led to multiple program and individual accomplishments. Offensively as a team, Clemson put up 13 team-highs including 488 hits and scoring 371 runs with 350 RBIs. Defensively, Clemson maintained a .980 fielding percentage and turned 31 double plays with a 1.59 combined ERA to keep opponents off balance and will look to carry this momentum into 2024 by returning pitchers Valerie Cagle, Millie Thompson, Brooke McCubbin and Regan Spencer who combined for 392 innings pitched, 318 strikeouts and 19 solo shutouts. Additional key returners include middle infielders Alia Logoleo and Maddie Moore, as well as centerfielder McKenzie Clark and catchers JoJo Hyatt and Aby Vieira.

On the cusp of playing the 200th game in program history –  occurring on the season opener on Feb. 8 – the Tigers are ready for the best year yet under the leadership of Coach Rittman, Associate Head Coach Kyle Jamieson and Assistant Coaches Courtney Breault and Jessie Harper. In 2024, Clemson is set to play 52 regular-season games, 27 of which will be played in McWhorter Stadium. With a stacked schedule that includes facing 13 teams that finished at a Regional, three that made a Super Regional and two that concluded their seasons at the Women’s College World Series, Clemson has positioned itself for another competitive season on the diamond. The season opens on Feb. 8 in Clearwater, Fla., at the NFCA Leadoff Classic before continuing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Feb. 14 at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

Cagle, the reigning USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and two-time ACC Player of the Year, returns for her final season in the Orange and Regalia to lead the program. After capturing nearly every top award a collegiate softball player can earn in 2023, including being the Rawlings Gold Glove pitcher and a unanimous First Team All-American, she is poised to continue her dominant .469 average at the plate and 1.56 ERA in the circle. Cagle finished her junior campaign in the top 25 of 11 different NCAA Categories and led the ACC in seven. The Yorktown, Va., native threw Clemson’s first perfect game last season against Mercer and followed it with an immaculate inning against Georgia Tech meaning she only needed nine pitches to strike out three batters in a single half inning. At the plate, Cagle set a program record with 83 hits, including 19 home runs and 15 doubles, to make for the perfect dual threat.

Joining Cagle in the circle are seniors Thompson and Spencer, as well as junior McCubbin. Thompson completes Clemson’s ‘1-2 punch’ in the circle as a dominant lefty. She finished with a 1.82 ERA and 14 wins through 92.1 innings of work and racked up 72 strikeouts last season. Spencer, a dynamic relief pitcher for the Tigers, made 18 appearances in 2023 and maintained a 5-0 record with a 1.73 ERA in 32.1 innings of work. McCubbin rounds out the returners with the lowest ERA (1.34) through 73.1 innings and finished with a 5-1 record while limiting opponents to a .162 average at the plate.

Poised and ready for their senior campaigns are Logoleo and Clark. Looking to prove how dynamic the two are both at the plate and in the field, they return to the lineup carrying a .296 and .335 average respectively. Logoleo, an infielder, finished with 51 RBIs, the second-most on the roster last season, with 50 hits. Clark, the starting centerfielder for the past three seasons, tallied 60 hits, including 13 home runs, and scored a team-high 56 runs.

Catcher Hyatt and outfielder Arielle Oda return for their sixth and final seasons after being the only two players that were members of Team 0 – the team that practiced before the inaugural season in 2020. Hyatt returns after a career-best season last year where she put up a .330 average with 29 hits and 17 RBIs. Oda returns as the only player who has made two SportsCenter Top 10 Plays during her Tiger career for her efforts in the outfield.

Vieira joins Hyatt behind the plate, and Moore joins Logoleo in the middle infield for their junior seasons. Vieira finished with a .314 average with 33 hits and 19 RBIs, while Moore posted a .264 average off 46 hits, including 11 home runs, and scored 47 runs while plating 40 RBIs and stealing 15 bases, the second-most on the squad.

Additional returners include sophomore Marena Knowles, who tallied a .269 average in her first season with the Tigers. Abi Stuart, Jadeyn Ruszkowski, Grace Hiller and Julia Bomhardt add additional returning depth to the lineup.

During the offseason, the softball staff added experience with transfers Alex Brown (UNC) and Lindsey Garcia (Auburn). Brown led the Tar Heels the past two seasons at the plate, and Garcia left Auburn sitting fifth all-time in sacrifice flies and seventh in triples.

Additional newcomers to the 2024 squad that will look to help Clemson include freshmen Kennedy Ariail, Rylee Burton, Olivia Duncan, Kylee Johnson and Julia Knowler.

-Via Clemson Athletic Communications 

Oklahoma Sooners’ top 10 moments from 2023

From multiple national championships, to Red River heroics, what were the best moments from the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023?

The Oklahoma Sooners had magical moments in 2023. There were national championship runs and new records set. There were incredible individual performances and great team accomplishments.

Big things happened off the field as well for the Sooners that helped set the stage for their move to the SEC.

So what were the top moments of 2023? Here’s Sooners Wire’s top 10.

D1Softball’s way-too-early 2024 Women’s College World Series predictions

Taking a way-too-early stab at the 2024 season, D1Softball shared their predictions on which teams make the Women’s College World Series next year.

Coming off a national championship three-peat it should come as no surprise that the Oklahoma Sooners are expected back in the Women’s College World Series in 2024.

Looking ahead to 2024, D1Softball issued its way-too-early predictions (subscription required) for which teams make next year’s WCWS.

Of course, Oklahoma is expected to be in the mix.

Even without Bahl, the Sooners aren’t going away. Oklahoma still brings back a lot of talent from its 2023 roster. Every major contributor returns for the back-to-back-to-back champions aside from Bahl, Alex Storako, Haley Lee and Grace Lyons. Kierston Deal’s role will likely increase and become the second arm alongside Nicole May. Expect the Sooners to also add another big-time pitcher through the portal like they have done in the past few seasons. Jocelyn Erickson or Sophia Nugent can fill the designated player role. Who plays shortstop is a big question, but there are plenty of candidates – and potential transfer additions – that could take over. – Brady Vernon, D1Softball

Nugent entered the portal, but Oklahoma has options on the bench to  replicate Haley Lee and Grace Lyons’ production from 2023.

From their No. 1 scoring lineup, the Sooners return everyone but Grace Lyons in the batting order. Jayda Coleman and Tiare Jennings lead the way for a squad hoping to do what no team has done: Win four in a row.

But they’ll have to do so without staff ace Jordy Bahl, who entered the transfer portal on Monday after two years with the Sooners.

Still, Oklahoma has Nicole May, who was fantastic in 2023, finishing with a sub-1.00 ERA. They’ll also put more on Kierston Deal’s plate after she  showed well in relief in 2023.

Here’s who D1Softball is predicting to be back in Oklahoma City in 2024.

Oklahoma Sooners rally for 8-7 win over Clemson, advance to Women’s College World Series

Kinzie Hansen tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a three-run home run and Tiare Jennings won it in the ninth with a solo shot to send the Oklahoma Sooners to the WCWS.

The Oklahoma Sooners started hot but needed late-inning heroics to beat the Clemson Tigers, 8-7, and advance to the Women’s College World Series.

Jayda Coleman and Tiare Jennings opened the game with back-to-back home runs to give the Sooners a 2-0 lead.

Clemson settled and held Oklahoma in check in the second and third inning. In the top of the fourth, Alyssa Brito put the Sooners up 3-0 with a solo home run. Later in the inning, after Oklahoma loaded the bases, Sophia Nugent came in and drove in a run with a fielder’s choice to make it 4-0.

The Tigers responded in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run home run from Maddie Moore to make it 4-3. In the fifth inning, Clemson erupted for five runs, first taking the lead on a two-run home run from McKenzie Clark. The Tigers weren’t done, loading the bases and picking up a pair of runs to put Clemson ahead 7-4 and seemingly in control.

After a scoreless sixth, the Sooners came up in the seventh and had to face USA Softball National Player of the Year finalist Valerie Cagle. Rylie Boone led off with a single but Coleman and Jennings couldn’t follow suit. With two outs in the seventh and Oklahoma still down three, Haley Lee singled to put two on for Kinze Hansen.

Facing two strikes, Hansen came up clutch with a three-run home run to tie the game.

Jordy Bahl came in for the bottom of the seventh and shut the door on the Tigers, pitching three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.

In the top of the ninth, Tiare Jennings wasted little time putting the Sooners up with a solo shot to lead off the inning. It was Jennings second home run of the game and the one that sent the Sooners to Oklahoma City.

Clemson was able to get a hit in the bottom of the ninth despite Jayda Coleman’s diving attempt, but Bahl closed the door on the Tigers’ rally to give the Sooners the win. She was absolutely nails in the win, shutting down a Clemson offense that had been productive in the series.

With the win, the Sooners set a Division I record for consecutive victories with their 48th in a row. They haven’t lost since February and continue to prove you can never count Oklahoma out, no matter the deficit.

The Sooners advance to the Women’s College World Series in hopes of defending their back-to-back national championships.

Power hitting paces the Oklahoma Sooners in win over Clemson

In the blink of an eye, the Oklahoma Sooners can put up a big inning like they did against Clemson in their 9-2 win over the Tigers.

One of the intriguing storylines to follow heading into the super regional matchup between Oklahoma and Clemson was how well the Tigers could keep the Sooners’ long ball in check.

Clemson’s pitching staff arrived in Norman allowing just 15 home runs all season long. Oklahoma had hit 104 home runs during the season. Something was going to give.

In game one, it was the Sooners’ power hitting that was the biggest difference in the game.

Even in the first inning, though they didn’t hit a home run, it was shots to the warning track that allowed Oklahoma to get on the board first. A leadoff double by [autotag]Jayda Coleman[/autotag] followed by back-to-back warning track sacrifice flies scored Coleman to put the Sooners up 1-0 in the early going.

Clemson had been making noise throughout the first four innings, though they’d yet to get to [autotag]Jordy Bahl[/autotag]. Clemson starter [autotag]Valerie Cagle[/autotag] held Oklahoma to just one hit through three innings and none after Coleman’s leadoff double.

In the bottom of the fourth, [autotag]Cydney Sanders[/autotag] hit her third home run in as many games to give the Sooners a more comfortable 4-0 lead. That bomb was just an appetizer to the fifth inning feast Oklahoma would have at the plate.

The Tigers responded in the top of the fifth, finally pushing a couple of runs across the plate on Oklahoma’s ace.

But that seemed to awaken Oklahoma’s lineup in the bottom of the frame. Rylie Boone got the inning started with a bunt single down the first base line, and Coleman and [autotag]Tiare Jennings[/autotag] followed with back-to-back singles. Then came [autotag]Haley Lee[/autotag] with the grand slam followed by [autotag]Alyssa Brito[/autotag]’s bomb to give Oklahoma a commanding 9-2 lead.

And just like that, any chance Clemson had at stealing game one from the Sooners was gone.

That’s what the Sooners do. They can score in a hurry and they do so in an emphatic way. Just when Clemson had roared it’s way back into the game in the top of the fifth, the Sooners flipped a switch and shut the lights out on the Tigers.

That’s one of the reasons the Sooners are so hard to beat. They don’t have an easy out in the lineup, and they can erupt out of nowhere and put a big inning together to put games away like they did against Clemson on Friday.

Now the Sooners get set to take on the Tigers in game two to earn another Women’s College World Series berth and set a new record for consecutive wins. But in order to do that, they’ll need to find the same “pass the bat” mentality that’s carried them all year long.

Here’s a look at some of the best photos from Saturday’s 9-2 win over Clemson.

 

Oklahoma Sooners win 47th straight game in 9-2 victory over Clemson

The Oklahoma Sooners tied the all-time record for consecutive wins with their 9-2 win over the Clemson Tigers.

Oklahoma shrugged off a slow start to beat Clemson 9-2 in the first game of the Norman Super Regionals. The Sooners tied the all-time NCAA softball winning streak at 47 games in a row, which was previously held by the 1996-97 Arizona Wildcats. The Sooners are now 55-1 on the year.

To start the game, Clemson didn’t do much and only got one hit in the first inning. Haley Lee then helped Oklahoma with a sac-fly that brought in Jayda Coleman to make the score 1-0 after one inning.

In the second, the Sooners took advantage of a Clemson error to extend their lead to 2-0. While Oklahoma was leading, Clemson’s Valerie Cagle was keeping the Sooners’ bats in check for the most part.

In the fourth, Cydney Sanders broke the game wide open. for the Sooners with a two-run home run to make the score 4-0. It was the third straight game with a home run for Sanders, who now has seven on the season.

The game got interesting again in the top of the fifth.

Clemson scored two runs thanks to a double by Caroline Jacobsen that scored McKenzie Clark and Ansley Houston. The Tigers had been getting to Jordy Bahl throughout the contest but finally broke through to give the Sooners a scare.

Staying steady, Oklahoma pulled away for good in the bottom of the fifth. Rylie Boone got the inning going with a leadoff bunt single. Jayda Coleman and Tiare Jennings followed suit with singles of their own to load the bases. Haley Lee then came to the plate. After working a 3-1 count, Lee went deep to center for a grand slam and an 8-2 lead.

Alyssa Brito provided the exclamation point in the game with her 15th home run of the season to make it 9-2.

The sixth and seventh innings were very quiet with neither team getting a hit the rest of the game.

Jordy Bahl started the game for the Sooners with 5.1 innings pitched. She allowed eight hits, two runs and had six strikeouts. She battled throughout the game, stranding Clemson runners in the first three innings. Bahl moved to 17-1 on the season. Alex Storako provided 1.2 innings of scoreless relief to close the game for Oklahoma.

National Player of the Year finalist, Valerie Cagle, had a strong start to the game. And despite the two runs allowed in the first two innings, she limited the Sooners lineup from making more noise until the fourth and fifth. Cagle pitched four innings and allowed eight runs on seven hits and had two strikeouts in the game.

Oklahoma and Clemson will meet again in the second game of the Norman Super Regional on Saturday at 12 p.m. An Oklahoma win would send the Sooners to the WCWS, while the Tigers need a win to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament.

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