Clemson softball could not secure the series sweep against NC State on Sunday. Regan Spencer started the game in the circle and gave up four runs without getting any outs. Hannah Goodwin (former Clemson player) hit a leadoff home run to get the scoring started this afternoon. Murray then had an infield single and advanced to second base on a passed ball. Regan Spencer then walked Pavlick and the clean-up hitter, Hassler hit a 3-run home run.
Brooke Mccubbin would come in to pitch for the Tigers. Mccubbin would retire the next three batters in order, including a strikeout to end the inning. Tiger hitters would get nothing going in the second inning, and Mccubbin would keep the Wolfpack at bay after giving up a two-out walk, Miklesh had a SportsCenter top 10 worthy diving catch in left field.
Miklesh would be the leadoff hitter in the top of the third inning and get on base via the hit-by-pitch. Mckenzie Clark would then lay down a beautiful bunt down the third base line for a single putting runners on first and second with zero outs. Valerie Cagle came up to the plate and did what she does best, deposited a homerun ball over the left field wall to bring Clemson within one run. Caroline Jacobsen and Maddie Moore would both earn walks and advance on a later wild pitch. Later in the inning, Logoleo would hit a sacrifice fly to score Caroline Jacobsen and tie the game at four.
McCubbin would go three up and three down in the third and fourth innings, and the Tiger’s offense could not capitalize to take the lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning NC State would get the bats going again with a single from Goodwin and another single by Murray. With runners on first and second this time it was Pavlick who made the Tigers pay with a 3-run home run, giving the Wolfpack a 7-4 lead. Mccubbin would get out of the inning with no further damage.
Other than the mistake pitch to Pavlick for the home run Brooke Mccubbin had a pretty solid day in the circle. She threw five complete innings giving up only three hits and three runs (previously mentioned HR) only allowing one free pass and four strikeouts. Valerie Cagle also got one inning of work this afternoon giving up zero hits, zero runs, and striking out one.
Clemson had the opportunity in the top of the seventh inning starting off with an intentional walk to Cagle. Caroline Jacobsen also earned a walk to have runners on first and second with nobody out. Maddie Moore fired a line drive to right field but the diving defender could not complete the catch. Cagle would advance to third and Jacobsen to second on a bang-bang play. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Knowles would come to the plate and strike out. Logoleo was up next and hit a ground ball to the shortstop but a throwing error allowed Cagle to come across the plate and make the score 7-5. Clemson still had the bases loaded with just one away and pinch hitter Arielle Oda would eventually strike out looking. Reedy Davenport would hit a hard ground ball to third and Goodwin for NC State would tag third base to end the game.
Clemson dropped only its fifth game of the season, dropping to 40-5 and 14-4 in the ACC.
The Tigers will be back in action at Mcwhorter Stadium on Tuesday against Winthrop at 5:30 pm and a home weekend series vs ACC foe Pittsburgh.
