It’s time. Clemson Softball will start its 2024 postseason campaign this week, looking to achieve the lofty expectations this team set for itself at the outset of last year’s playoff exit. It begins with a trip to the ACC Championship Tournament this Thursday in Durham.
After hosting another regional and making a second-straight super regional appearance, the 2023 Tigers were ousted in Norman by the eventual three-peat national champions Oklahoma. Being able to get a glimpse of that success set the 2024 team on a trajectory of redemption – and in this case, taking the program another step further.
Game one of the postseason will start on the road at Jack Katz Stadium, where Duke will host this year’s ACC Tournament. Clemson (33-16, 15-9 ACC) will enter the tournament as the five seed, tying with first-game opponent Virginia (32-17, 15-9 ACC) during the regular season – but losing the tiebreaker due to the Tigers losing the head-to-head series matchup earlier this year. The Tigers will be the designated away team for the game against the Cavaliers, with first pitch scheduled for 1:30pm EST.
While not the year that some may have expected, the 2024 Clemson Softball team has all the makings for a deep postseason run. With reigning national player of the year Valerie Cagle in the circle (2.50 ERA, 96 K) and at the plate (.364 AVG, 7 HR) leading the charge, this team has the experience and confidence to meet those preseason expectations. Next to Cagle in the circle will be battle-tested seniors Millie Thompson (1.77 ERA, 77-8 K-to-BB ratio) and the resurgent Regan Spencer (2.00 ERA, 9-3 W-L record). At the plate, the Tigers tout a deep, powerful and speedy lineup – starting with do-it-all center fielder McKenzie Clark (.366 AVG, 9 HR), followed by that of infielders Alia Logoleo (.333 AVG, 7 HR) and Maddie Moore (.362 AVG, 9 HR), just to name a few.
The Virginia Cavaliers are not a team to be taken lightly, either. Despite the tough year in 2023 (8-16 ACC), It was the likes of hitters Jade Hylton (.342 AVG, 12 HR) and Bella Cabral (.268 AVG, 6 HR) – as well as pitchers Madison Harris (1.60 ERA, 80 K) and Eden Bigham (2.22 ERA, 161 K) – that gave the 2024 Hoos the 2-1 home conference series victory against Clemson back in March.
If the Tigers win on Thursday, they’ll set up a potential rematch with conference rival and top-seeded Duke, who swept Clemson at home during senior weekend just three weeks ago.
Check out the action starting on Thursday afternoon at 1:30pm on ACC Network.
