The Clemson Softball team returned to their winning ways on Friday evening, delivering a dominant 4-0 performance over North Carolina to secure their 19th victory of the season and second conference win. With the win, the Tigers moved to 19-8 overall (2-2 in the ACC), while the Tar Heels dropped to 22-5 (3-1 ACC).
Game 1
Freshman Macey Cintron once again showcased her impressive form, leading the way for Clemson at the plate. Cintron went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a pair of RBIs, continuing her stellar rookie campaign. She was joined by another freshman, Marian Collins, who contributed two hits and a run scored. Senior leaders Maddie Moore and Alex Brown each drove in an RBI, while Ava Wilson, Julia Knowler, and Moore crossed the plate for the Tigers.
It didn’t take long for Clemson to establish their dominance. In the bottom of the first, Cintron delivered a clutch two-RBI double to right-center, scoring Moore and Knowler. Cintron’s two RBIs brought her total to 22 on the year—good enough for the fifth-most by a freshman in Clemson history. The Tigers took a 2-0 lead into the second inning, and never looked back.
North Carolina mounted a small threat in the third, getting two runners on after a hit-by-pitch and a walk. But Clemson’s defense was up to the task. A timely foul-out and a slick grab by Moore at second kept the Tar Heels off the scoreboard, maintaining their 2-0 advantage. Reese Basinger, the senior pitcher, was effective throughout, striking out two batters in the fourth inning and improving her record to 7-3 on the season after completing her sixth complete game.
The Tigers would strike again in the fourth. After a couple of singles from Wilson and Collins, the top of the lineup came through. Brown’s sacrifice fly brought home Wilson, and Moore followed up with an RBI double off the left-field wall to score Collins. The Tigers were now comfortably ahead 4-0, and they never let go of the lead.
Despite a solo home run from North Carolina in the top of the seventh, Clemson’s defense held firm, with two quick outs to finish off the game. The final score stood at 4-1 in favor of the Tigers, as they improved to 19-8 on the season.
Game 2: Tar Heels Hold Off Clemson’s Comeback in 6-3 Victory
On Saturday, the Tigers fought valiantly but fell short in their comeback bid, as North Carolina edged out a 6-3 victory. Despite a strong performance from freshman Cintron—who notched two more hits and an RBI—the Tigers were unable to overcome the Tar Heels’ early offensive burst.
Aby Vieira added a solo home run, her first of the season, and sophomore Kylee Johnson chipped in with an RBI of her own. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome North Carolina’s well-rounded offensive attack, which included two solo home runs from the Tar Heels in the second inning.
The game was highlighted by strong defense from Clemson, particularly in the first inning when a key review decision went in the Tigers’ favor. North Carolina had runners on first and second with one out, but Clemson turned a pivotal double play, getting out of the jam unscathed. Unfortunately, the Tar Heels capitalized on a couple of long balls to take control.
Clemson did try to answer back in the third after a triple by Alex Brown and an RBI single from Cintron cut the lead to 3-1. Later, Vieira’s home run in the sixth brought the Tigers within striking distance, but North Carolina managed to hold onto their lead with a pair of runs late in the game.
Although the Tigers played some solid defense, including a spectacular double play in the seventh inning, North Carolina managed to escape with a 6-3 victory. It was a tough loss for Clemson, but they still had the series finale to look forward to.
Game 3: Tigers Roar Back, Clinch Series with 10-2 Run-Rule Victory
On Sunday, the Tigers came out with a vengeance, defeating North Carolina 10-2 in a six-inning run-rule victory. This victory not only sealed the series for Clemson but also marked their first ACC series win of the season.
The Tigers were firing on all cylinders, with seven players contributing to their 14-hit attack. Vieira and Moore each had three hits, while Cintron, Knowler, and Brown added two each. Clemson’s offensive explosion included five doubles, showcasing their power at the plate. Vieira led the charge with three RBIs, while Knowler and Moore each drove in two.
In the circle, senior Reese Basinger was dominant, tossing her seventh complete game of the season while striking out three batters. Basinger improved her record to 8-3 with the win, making it a memorable Sunday afternoon for the Tigers.
Clemson took control early. After a brief weather delay, they wasted no time getting to work. After loading the bases, Vieira and Johnson each delivered with walks, giving Clemson an early 2-0 lead. North Carolina responded with a solo home run in the second, but the Tigers answered right back with five runs in the bottom half of the inning.
The Tigers didn’t stop there. In the fourth, after Minish singled and Vieira doubled, Clemson extended their lead to 8-2. North Carolina had one last shot in the sixth, loading the bases with one out. But Basinger was unflappable, striking out the next batter before forcing a flyout to end the threat.
With a comfortable 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, Clemson wasted no time closing things out. A leadoff single by Vieira and subsequent RBIs from Brown and Moore sealed the 10-2 victory, giving Clemson their first ACC series win of the season.
Looking Ahead
With the series in the rearview mirror, the Tigers now head on the road for a five-game stretch, starting with a Wednesday matchup against Fordham on March 19. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+. After the ups and downs of this weekend, Clemson will look to continue their momentum as they head into the heart of conference play.
