The highly anticipated Clemson vs Florida State doubleheader on Thursday was a battle of two top teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Unfortunately for the Tigers, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, losing both games 7-0 and 4-1, despite Valerie Cagle’s 14th home run of the season in the second game.
In the first game, Michaela Edenfield led the way for the Seminoles with two hits, including a double and a home run, and five runs batted in (RBIs). Clemson’s three costly errors allowed Florida State to secure the win, even though Valerie Cagle broke up the no-hitter in the fourth inning with an infield single.
Valerie Cagle Gave Clemson a Chance
Valerie Cagle pitched six innings with five strikeouts but dropped to 18-2 in the circle. Ali DuBois earned the win for the Seminoles, throwing an inning and two-thirds while allowing just one hit. Kathryn Sandercock picked up the save, going 2.1 innings and only allowing one baserunner.
In the second game, Florida State took an early lead with a single to the left side, plating the first runner in the third inning. They followed this up by loading the bases in the fourth and plating two more to make it 3-0. Valerie Cagle responded with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning, putting her on a 10-game hitting streak and bringing the score to 3-1.
Florida State hit a solo shot in the top of the sixth to extend their lead back to three, which would hold for the remainder of the game. Millie Thompson started in the circle for Clemson, pitching four innings with two strikeouts and falling to 11-1 in the circle. Kathryn Sandercock threw a complete game for the Seminoles, allowing just five hits for her 13th win of the season.
Despite having several chances, the Tigers were unable to capitalize on them, leaving them with a 37-3 record (12-2 ACC) on the season. The Seminoles, on the other hand, moved to 31-7 (10-1 ACC) and remain in first place in the ACC standings.
The two teams concluded their series on Friday, April 7th, with the game scheduled for a 7 p.m. start on ESPN2. Although advance tickets were sold out, a limited number of seats were available on the berm for walk-up sales on the day of the game. Fans were encouraged to arrive early to secure their tickets, which were available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The doubleheader showcased two of the top teams in the ACC, but Florida State was able to capitalize on their opportunities and come away with two wins. The Seminoles have been a dominant force in the ACC for several years under the leadership of head coach Lonni Alameda, who has been at the helm since 2009. During her tenure, Alameda has led the Seminoles to multiple ACC titles and appearances in the Women’s College World Series.
One of the keys to Florida State’s success this season has been the play of pitcher Kathryn Sandercock. Sandercock, a junior from McLean, Virginia, has been dominant in the circle all season long, with a 12-2 record and a 1.26 earned run average (ERA) entering the doubleheader against Clemson.
Despite the disappointing results the Clemson Tigers may have faced disappointing results in their recent games, it’s important to remember that they are still one of the top teams in the ACC. With their talented players and dedicated coaching staff, they have the potential to make a strong comeback and leave a mark on the upcoming seasons.
But what do you think? Are you a Clemson Tigers fan who believes in their potential? Or do you think they need to make some changes to their strategy? We’d love to hear your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
