Clemson Softball pulled off their biggest win of the season on Wednesday night, handing No. 10/11 Georgia its first loss of the year with an exciting 5-3 victory at McWhorter Stadium. The win extended Clemson’s streak to seven straight and marked their first victory over a top-10 team since 2022.
Pitcher Reese Basinger was outstanding, striking out eight batters over five innings before Brooke McCubbin stepped in to close out the final two frames without giving up a run. Clemson’s offense came through in key moments, with Alex Brown leading the way with two hits and an RBI. Macey Cintron, Julia Knowler, and Jamison Brockenbrough also drove in runs to power the Tigers past the Bulldogs.
Clemson got off to a strong start in the first inning. Brown led things off with a double down the right field line, setting the tone early. Maddie Moore followed with a walk, and after a fielder’s choice, Cintron smashed a double through the middle of the infield, bringing home the first run of the game and giving Clemson a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers kept pushing in the third inning. Knowler stepped up and crushed a 3-1 pitch deep into left field, sending it 256 feet at 80 mph for a solo home run to make it 2-0. Georgia tried to answer in the top of the fourth, getting a runner to third base after a double and a passed ball. But Basinger stayed calm and, with a full count, got a huge swing-and-miss strikeout to end the inning and keep Georgia off the board.
Clemson added another run in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Ava Wilson worked a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Sam Minish. That set the stage for Brockenbrough, who stepped up and lined a single into right field, scoring Wilson to extend the lead to 3-0.
Georgia, however, fought back in the fifth. The Bulldogs got back-to-back doubles to bring in their first run of the game, then launched a two-run home run to even the score at 3-3. With the momentum shifting, Clemson turned to McCubbin to take over in the circle in the sixth inning.
After allowing a leadoff single and a walk, she quickly regained control. A fielder’s choice and a big strikeout put Clemson one out away from escaping the jam, and another fielder’s choice ended the inning, keeping the game tied.
The Tigers weren’t done yet. In the bottom of the sixth, pinch hitter Haylee Whitesides ripped a double to right center, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. Pinch runner Kennedy Ariail moved to third on a Minish single, and when Brockenbrough lifted a fly ball to center, a wild throw home allowed Ariail to score, putting Clemson back in front 4-3. Minish took third on the play, and Brown came through again, grounding a single through the right side to bring Minish home and give the Tigers a two-run cushion heading into the final inning.
McCubbin came back out for the seventh, needing three outs to secure the upset. After forcing a popout and a strikeout, Georgia kept their hopes alive with a single and a steal, putting the tying run at the plate. But Clemson’s defense was ready. Moore scooped up a ground ball and fired it to Knowler at first base for the final out, sealing Clemson’s thrilling victory and sending the crowd into celebration.
With confidence soaring, the Tigers now turn their attention to the Tiger Invitational, a three-day homestand where they will face Lafayette, East Carolina, and Indiana. The action kicks off on Friday at 12:30 p.m. against Lafayette, followed by a 3 p.m. matchup against East Carolina. After taking down a top-10 opponent, Clemson will look to keep their momentum going and extend their winning streak even further.
