Clemson softball faced off against arch-rival South Carolina in a highly anticipated top-25 showdown tonight at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson. The ACC network aired the game, featuring #11 Clemson, who entered on a seven-game winning streak, which included a three-game sweep of North Carolina last weekend.
It turned into a long night for Clemson Softball, as the game went into extras. With no runs or even threats in the eighth or ninth, the scoreboard read inning 0 as the game headed into the 10th.
Alex Brown’s throwing error in the third inning led to 2 unearned runs and South Carolina gained an early advantage. The lead would be short-lived as Clark would hit a two-run home run to tie it up in the bottom half of the inning. A home run by Jen Cummins would give the gamecocks the lead back at 3-2. A sac fly that scored Millie Johnson tied the game at three in the sixth.
With neither team bringing a run across the plate in the seventh they headed for extra innings.
Unable to score a run in the eighth or ninth innings Clemson and South Carolina headed to the tenth inning and Clemson would have the winning run on second base after a one out double from Grace Hiller. She would be moved over to third with two outs. However, Oda would pop out to end the threat.
Clemson Softball had another chance to end the game with a run in the eleventh but the pitching of South Carolina starter Alana Vawter, who went the distance for the Gamecocks, once again held the Clemson offense scoreless.
In the twelfth South Carolina would break through after using their final challenge on an out call at home being overturned and they took a 4-3 lead. Riley Blampied hit a single up the middle with runners on 2nd and 3rd, extending the lead to 6-3.
Clemson managed to get Arial Oda up to bat with the tying run on base but couldn’t get her home. Oda popped out to third to end the game. It was a game of missed opportunities for Clemson who were unable to capitalize on four chances to win the game with one run.
Clemson Softball is gearing up to hit the field this Friday for a 3-game series against Virginia on the road.
