The Clemson Softball Tigers (#21, 31-15, 13-8 ACC) continue their road trip with a final stop in Louisville Kentucky to take on the Cardinals (25-21, 6-12 ACC). Clemson will try to keep the good momentum going into the post season with a series win against a solid Louisville team.
This season’s team goes as McKenzie Clark does, and she has been on a tear. What is there not to say about the year that All-America candidate Clark has had? Hitting .373 and 9 home runs, she leads the team at the plate and on the field – making highlight after highlight as the Tiger center fielder. Maddie Moore has also been playing well, even with her move from second base to short stop. She has 9 home runs and hits an average of .357, good enough for third on the team. Valerie Cagle is also back for Clemson, bringing her batting (.364, 7 home runs – including a huge blast in her first game back from injury against Notre Dame) and her pitching (2.56 ERA, 90 K) to this final regular season series. Look for Regan Spencer to continue her dominance as the ace of this pitching staff (1.66 ERA, 8 W), followed by Millie Thompson and her ever-evolving show of change-ups and emotions (1.68 ERA, 61 K).
For Louisville, their home crowd will try to energize this team on their final home stand of the year. Having lost two in a row, the Cardinals have played a fairly tough schedule (#47 RPI) – which means they are not to be overlooked. Senior infielder Riley Frizell (.331, 13 HR) will bring some stability and power to this Louisville lineup. In the circle, right-hander Alyssa Zabala (2.80 ERA, 18 W, 86 K) is their workhorse. She’ll get plenty of usage against this deep and experienced Tiger lineup.
For Clemson, this series will go a long way in determining postseason play as well. Sitting tied for fourth in the ACC standings with Virginia, they’ll need to win the series to keep pace – knowing the Cavaliers hold the advantage in tie-breaker scenarios for conference tournament seeding. As for the national scene, Clemson (#23 RPI) will need a strong showing to stay in position to host a regional for another year in a row.
Action starts at Ulmer Stadium in Louisville on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 6pm on ACCNX. Game two will be Saturday at noon, followed by the season finale on Sunday at 4pm.
Note: In a bit of coincidental scheduling, the no. 5 Clemson Baseball Tigers will also be in Louisville for a three-game conference series this weekend – with game one also starting at 6pm on Friday across campus inside Jim Patterson Stadium.
