The Clemson Tigers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday afternoon was nothing short of a spectacle. With a staggering 16 hits, the Tigers powered their way to an impressive 11-6 victory, leaving their mark on the field at Notre Dame.
With this win, Clemson moves to 31-14 (13-7 ACC) for the season, while Notre Dame falls to 23-30 (7-13 ACC). The Tigers look to close out the series tomorrow at 6 p.m. on ACC Network.
Batting Brilliance: Clemson’s Offensive Prowess
Led by the trio of Alex Brown, Alia Logoleo, and Arielle Oda, who each notched three hits, Clemson showcased its offensive firepower. This marked yet another stellar performance for these standout players, adding to their already impressive record of multi-hit games this season. Maddie Moore and McKenzie Clark also contributed with multi-hit performances, further solidifying Clemson’s dominance at the plate.
Early Momentum: Clemson Strikes in the Third Inning
Similar to their performance the previous night, the Tigers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. With Oda setting the stage with a well-placed single, Clemson capitalized on opportunities, demonstrating their determination to take an early lead.
A Game of Momentum Swings
While Notre Dame fought back, seizing the lead temporarily, Clemson remained resilient. The Tigers clawed their way back into contention, with Moore’s powerful two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Seventh-Inning Surge: Clemson’s Commanding Rally
Notable moments included Clark’s fifth sac fly of the season, Moore’s ninth homer of the year bringing her season RBI count to 33, and a remarkable rally in the top of the seventh inning where the Tigers scored six runs off six hits.
Pitching Precision: Cagle’s Commanding Performance
In the circle, Valerie Cagle’s return to action proved instrumental in Clemson’s victory. Valerie Cagle shined, pitching her seventh complete game of the season, striking out six batters and only conceding one walk to improve her record to 8-5 on the year.
Up Next
The Tigers will conclude their series against the Fighting Irish tomorrow at 6 p.m., a showdown sure to captivate fans and reaffirm Clemson’s status as a force to be reckoned with in college softball.
