Clemson Softball: Tigers Run-Rule USC Upstate

Tigers Win!! Clemson moves on with a run-rule victory.

Video Via: ESPN

Clemson softball earned the No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the opportunity to host the regional opening round. The Tigers welcomed USC Upstate, Kentucky, and Northwestern for a double-elimination tournament. The winner will advance to the Super Regional round. 

Clemson played USC Upstate in game one. The Tigers have a 1-0 record against the Spartans after meeting for the first time at the 2024 Tuscaloosa Regional, where they claimed an 8-0 run-rule victory in six innings. In the center circle, reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year, Reese Basinger, got the start for Clemson. USC Upstate started its sophomore right-hander, Sierra Maness. 

Both teams went a perfect three-up and three-down to open the game. USC Upstate’s bats got going with two outs in the second. Hitters were aggressive, swinging early in counts. Three consecutive hits loaded the bases. Clemson’s ace was not shaken. Basinger collected her first strikeout of the game with a screwball outside to avoid damage. 

Clemson got on the board first. A leadoff single from Macey Cintron got her on base. Aby Vieira’s sacrifice bunt advanced the runner. Freshman Marian Collins picked up the RBI single. 

The Spartans responded immediately with Alanna Deal’s double, scoring the Spartans' first run. Mental mistakes started to affect the Tigers. Basinger went to field a groundball, but no one was covering first base. A sacrifice fly from Carson Shaw tacked on another run. Basinger walked another batter before exiting the game. Off a ground ball, second baseman Maddie Moore hesitated in her decision-making, allowing both runners to reach. Brooke McCubbin managed to work out of the rest of the inning unscathed. 

Maness picked up two strikeouts to start the third. After conceding a walk to Alex Brown, Moore’s double would tie the game. Kylee Johnson continued to be one of Clemson’s hottest bats. With two outs in the fourth, Johnson squared a pitch, rocketing it out of left field. The sophomore’s three-run, long ball put Clemson up 5-2. 

Cintron hit a pop fly that should’ve been an easy force out. Upstate’s center fielder lost her footing, allowing the ball to drop. Moore showcased her speed, scoring from second base. From, here the game exploded. Vieira ripped the first pitch of her at bat down the right field line for a RBI. Collins and Taylor Pipkins had consecutive doubles to walk off the game. The hitting came alive making the energy inside McWhorter Stadium electric.  

Clemson took control in the 5th to run-rule the Spartans 10-2. The Tigers scored in four consecutive innings, posting 5 in the fifth. McCubbin would record the win with three hits through 2.2 innings pitched. No. 11 Clemson will now play Northwestern tomorrow at 1:30 ET.