The Clemson Tigers softball team achevied a new milestone into the program’s history books on Friday, securing their 200th program victory with a commanding 11-3 win over Lafayette, followed by a 6-2 triumph against East Carolina in the Tiger Invitational. The pair of victories extended Clemson’s winning streak to nine games, improving their season record to 12-6.
With just 270 games played since the program’s inception, Clemson reached the 200-win mark faster than all but one athletic program in the school’s history. The team’s success speaks volumes about the program’s rapid growth and its continued dominance in collegiate softball.
Clemson vs. Lafayette
The Tigers wasted no time against Lafayette, collecting 17 hits – the third most in a game in program history. Senior Maddie Moore had a career high four hits, two RBIs and two runs. Sophomore Julia Knowler was a powerhouse, driving in five runs including a three-run home run in the second. Junior Jamison Brockenbrough was 3-for-3 with three runs and one RBI.
Lafayette scored two in the top of the first but the Tigers answered with two in the bottom half. The Clemson offense really turned it on in the second inning as the Tigers scored six, including a three-run Knowler home run. By the end of the inning Clemson was up 8-2 and never looked back.
The Tigers added runs in the third, fifth and sixth to win via the run rule. The depth of the offense was on full display with everyone in the lineup contributing.
In the circle, sophomore Olivia Duncan started and went three innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. Graduate student Brook Melnychuk came in relief and was fantastic, going three scoreless innings, allowing only four hits to earn her second win of the season. She kept Lafayette off the board and helped Clemson cruise to the victory.
Clemson vs. East Carolina
The afternoon game against East Carolina was tougher, but the Tigers resilience and timely hitting gave them their second win of the day.
The Pirates scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd. But the Tigers answered back in the bottom of the 3rd when Knowler had a 2-run double to put the Tigers up 2-1. The momentum carried into the 4th when the Tigers scored on key hits and a sacrifice fly to go up 5-1.
East Carolina tried to come back, scoring a run in the 6th to cut the lead to 5-2. But the Tigers answered back again, scoring an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th after a fielding error, to finish 6-2.
Macey Cintron got the win, pitching 4 innings with 3 strikeouts and 4 hits. Brooke McCubbin came in relief and threw 3 innings, 2 strikeouts to get her first save of the season.
Clemson’s showing on Friday went beyond just two victories—it proved how the program has risen in college softball. Getting to 200 wins so fast shows the Tigers’ improvement, skill, and steadiness. Head coach John Rittman has created a top-notch program that keeps raising the bar.
Riding high on their success, the Tigers now focus on what’s next. Clemson will play again in the Tiger Invitational on Saturday going up against Indiana at 3 p.m. at McWhorter Stadium. The Tigers aim to keep their winning run going and strengthen their spot among the best softball teams in the country.
