Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium | Lynchburg, Va.
Sophomore Maddie Moore and redshirt junior Alia Logoleo each brought home two runners, but the No. 6/6 Clemson Tigers softball fell to Liberty, 5-4, on Wednesday evening at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium. Following the loss, Clemson falls to 44-6 on the year.
The Tigers finished with seven hits, led by Valerie Cagle clocking two. Moore and Logoleo each tallied two RBIs, while Ally Miklesh, Sarah Howell, Caroline Jacobsen and Cagle scored the Tigers’ four runs.
Clemson got the ball rolling in the first inning after Cagle and Jacobsen each hit a single with two outs. Moore hit a ball to deep right-center during her at-bat that brought both runners home, giving the Tigers a 2-0 advantage. In the bottom half of the inning, Liberty cut Clemson’s lead in half after loading the bases. A hard hit ball to Moore at second allowed a runner to score as Clemson tallied the out at first. The Tigers were able to end the inning with a strikeout from Cagle to maintain a 2-1 lead.
Both sides would get runners on through the next four innings, but neither side was able to capitalize until the Tigers loaded the bases in the top of the sixth. After Miklesh singled up the middle, Cagle and Jacobsen drew back-to-back walks. Working to a full count with two outs, Logoleo delivered a shot straight up the middle to plate Miklesh from third and Howell, who was running for Cagle, from second. Clemson’s defense produced three quick outs in the bottom half of the inning to hold a 4-1 lead heading to the seventh.
Coming down to the final half inning, the Flames loaded the bases with only one out. Two walks brought Liberty back within one run, and a single up the middle plated the two necessary runs for the Flames to win, 5-4.
Cagle made her 24th start in the circle and pitched her 18th-complete game. Through her seven innings of work, she struck out eight, but fell to 22-4.
Up Next
The Tigers conclude the regular season with a three-game series at Virginia Tech this weekend. Action in Blacksburg, Va. is scheduled to begin on Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m. on ACCNX.
Clemson Tigers Softball Suffers Heartbreaking Loss
The Tigers had a chance to win the game in the seventh inning, but they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. They loaded the bases with one out, but they were unable to bring home a run. Liberty then came up with a big hit to score two runs and win the game.
The loss was a tough one for the Tigers, but they can still finish the regular season strong. They have a three-game series at Virginia Tech this weekend, and they will be looking to get back on track.
Cagle Pitches Well in Defeat
Valerie Cagle pitched a great game for the Tigers, but she was not able to get the win. She struck out eight batters and only allowed one earned run, before struggling in the bottom of the 7th inning and walking two runs and giving up a two-run game-winning single.
Cagle is one of the best pitchers in the country, and she will be a key part of the Tigers’ success in the postseason. She will need to pitch well if the Tigers want to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Tigers Look to Bounce Back at Virginia Tech
The Clemson Tigers softball team will look to bounce back from their loss to Liberty when they take on Virginia Tech this weekend. The Hokies are a tough team, but the Tigers are confident that they can win the series. The Tigers have a lot of talent, and they will need to play their best softball at the end of the season.
