Brown Shines, Basinger Dominates as Clemson Softball Cruises Past Syracuse

Reese Basinger and Alex Brown had a great Friday in Syracuse. (Photo taken during Clemson's win over North Carolina on Friday, March 14, 2025 By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

On a Solid Orange Friday in Syracuse, New York, the Clemson Tigers Softball team came out swinging and never looked back in an 8–1 victory over the Syracuse Orange. Coming into the game with a 21–9 record, the Tigers were determined to start the series strong, and they did just that behind a stellar performance from Alex Brown and a dominant outing in the circle by Reese Basinger.

Strong Start Sets the Tone

The Tigers wasted no time getting things going. Alex Brown led off the game with a single down the right field line, extending her hitting streak to five games. Although Clemson did nothing further after that, the tone was set early. On the defensive side, Basinger calmly worked around a leadoff infield hit and a runner who reached third, keeping the Orange off the board with a groundout to end the inning.

Tigers Break Through in the Second

Clemson’s offense came alive in the second. After a walk from Aby Vieira and a fielder’s choice from freshman Sam Minish, the Tigers got on the board with an RBI single from Kylee Johnson. That was just the beginning. Alex Brown followed with another RBI single before Maddie Moore delivered a two-RBI double to left field, giving Clemson a commanding 4–0 lead.

Basinger in Command

Reese Basinger continued to dominate in the circle. She kept the Syracuse bats quiet through the middle innings, working efficiently and controlling the strike zone. The junior racked up timely strikeouts and quick outs, allowing her defense to stay active and the Tigers to keep momentum on their side.

Power Surge in the Fifth

The fifth inning turned into a power display for the Tigers. Alex Brown led off with her third hit of the game, setting the table for Julia Knowler to launch a two-run home run to right field. Moments later, Macey Cintron followed suit with a solo shot of her own, pushing Clemson’s lead to 7–0. That would end Madison Knight’s day in the circle for Syracuse, as the Orange turned to freshman Sydney Jackson.

The Tigers weren’t done yet. Vieira roped a double to the gap in left center, and after a walk to Minish, Clemson threatened again. While the Tigers didn’t add more runs in the inning, the damage was done, and they were now flirting with run-rule territory.

Finishing Strong

Clemson tacked on one more in the sixth. After a Brockenbrough single and a double by Brown, her fourth hit of the day, Maddie Moore lifted a sac fly to bring Brown home and make it 8–0.

Syracuse showed some fight in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases and scratching across a run with a two-out RBI from Tessa Galipeau. But Basinger remained poised, limiting the damage and sending the game to the seventh with Clemson still firmly in control.

The Tigers closed the door in the final inning. Basinger came back out for the seventh, determined to finish what she started. A couple of base runners reached, but Clemson’s defense held firm to secure the win.

Final Notes

Reese Basinger went the distance, earning another complete game and improving her record to 9–3 on the season. The Tigers improve to 22–9 overall and will return to action for game two of the series tomorrow at 1:00 PM ET in Syracuse.

Alex Brown led the charge offensively, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and an RBI. Maddie Moore added three RBIs, while Julia Knowler and Macey Cintron each delivered home runs in a dominant team performance.