Clemson Softball didn’t let game one get in the way of a successful afternoon in Boca Raton, Florida, as they’d win game two of the doubleheader against Kansas 4-3 in the Paradise Classic. The Tigers would secure the win behind two home runs (Jamison Brockenbrough and Julia Knowler) and a dominant pitching performance from Brooke McCubbin.
Game Highlights
It would be senior right-hander Brooke Mccubbin with the ball this time for the Tigers, still sporting their grey uniforms from game one. A good throw on a ground ball from Alex Brown to Knowler would get McCubbin the first out of her senior season. Kansas’ Aynslee Linduff would get Brooke next, however, sending a ball off the wall in center for a double. Emma Tatum would send another ball into center and score the runner from second, giving the Jayhawks a quick 1-0 lead. McCubbin would force a ground ball to second baseman Taylor Pipkins, who would turn a 4-6-3 double play to keep the damage to a minimum.
The Tigers would be facing Kansas’ leading pitcher Lizzy Ludwig. After a full-count groundout by Brown to start the frame, center fielder and Tennessee transfer Jamison Brockenbrough would blast a home run that would fly over the scoreboard in right and tie the game at 1-1. Not to be outdone, sophomore first baseman Knowler would send one over the right field wall as well to go back-to-back for the Tigers. It would now be 2-1 Clemson.
Freshman Ava Wilson would start this game in right field, and she’d start her career at the plate with an infield single – much to the displeasure of the Jayhawk faithful. Pipkins would be next, popping out to a leaping second baseman in shallow right. Brown would hit into a fielder’s choice quickly, giving the bat back to Brockenbrough with two outs and one on. She’d draw a walk this time, putting Brown in scoring position for her 4th time in two games for Knowler. Ludwig would continue to struggle with her command, walking Julia and loading the bases for Kylee Johnson. This would end the day for Ludwig (1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER). Katie Brooks would be next in the circle for Kansas. She would hit Johnson on the first pitch, scoring another run for the Tigers. Marian Collins would hit a tough-to-handle grounder to short, scoring another and giving Clemson the 4-1 lead heading to the third.
A walk by McCubbin would start the next inning, but the next batter would fly out to Johnson. The next hit would be to short, where a bad throw over to second would keep the runners safe, followed quickly by another ball eating up Collins again and loading the bases. Coach John Rittman would make a visit to the infield this time. Knowler would knock down a hard hit ball at first, but the throw to catcher Aby Viera at home would be dropped to make the score 4-2. This would make it three Tiger errors in the inning. McCubbin would strike out the next batter for the second out, however, and force a flyout to left field for the last out. The Tigers would escape the third somewhat unscathed, despite the multi-error inning.
A misplayed fly ball in right field by Ava Wilson would give a leadoff double to Kansas to start the fourth. A groundout back to McCubbin would move the runner to third, now with one out. Brooke would strike out the next batter, but pitch a ball in the dirt that would get past Viera to score the runner from third. The score would now be 4-3. With four errors in the game for Clemson, McCubbin would get another strikeout to retire the side.
The Jayhawks would have one more chance to extend the game in the top of the seventh. After a groundout at first, a good bunt would allow the runner to make it to first safely. Coach Kyle Jamieson would pull McCubbin (W, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K), and move to Reese Basinger for the final two outs. Coming off a complete game herself, she’d walk the next batter to put two runners on with just one out. A wild pitch would move the runners to second and third. Basinger would then get the strikeout to make it two outs with only one batter to go. She’d force a pop up to Pipkins, end the game, and earn the save (S, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K).
Next Up
Clemson Softball will be back on the field tomorrow night playing the host of the Paradise Classic, Florida Atlantic. You can catch the game on FAUSports.TV or WCCP FM starting at 6pm.
