The Clemson Tigers Softball team will host a NCAA Regional for the third time in the teams six year existence.
The four teams that will compete in the double-elimination style tournament are seeded 1-4 with Clemson the top seed, Kentucky of the Southeastern Conference are the #2 seed followed by Northwestern from the Big Ten Conference the #3 seed and finally USC Upstate of the Big South Conference the #4 seed.
Games start on Friday at 2pm when Kentucky will face Northwestern. Clemson will play USC Upstate at 4pm.
The winners of the Friday game’s (Kentucky/Northwestern and Clemson/Upstate) will play the first game on Saturday, scheduled for 1:30pm. Saturday will see two teams eliminated across three games on the day. The final will take place on Sunday starting at 1pm, and the second game, if necessary, will start at 3:30pm
This is a preview of the Tigers’ regional opponents with full season statistics for each. Obviously the statistics will likely change throughout the weekend. (Note: The stats you will read in this will be through the regular season)
Here are the teams starting with your Clemson Tigers:
#1 Seed – Clemson Tigers
Coach: John Rittman (6th Season @ Clemson)
Record: 44-12 (19-5 ACC; ACC Tournament Champions)
| NAME (#) | Position | ‘25 Stats |
| Alex Brown (25) | 3rd Base | .420; 12 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 35 RBI; 10-12 SB |
| Maddie Moore (28) | 2nd Base | .420; 10 2B, 3 3B, 16 HR, 64 RBI; 9-9 SB |
| Julia Knowler (12) | 1st Base | .313; 17 2B, 14 HR, 57 RBI |
| Macey Cintron (16) | Designated Player | .308; 8 2B, 3B, 13 HR, 48 RBI |
| Aby Viera (4) | Catcher | .344; 16 2B, 3 HR, 31 RBI; 3-3 SB |
| Marian Collins (5) | Shortstop | .338; 12 2B, 3B, 11 HR, 41 RBI |
| Taylor Pipkins (22) | Right Field | .318; 2 2B, 3 HR, 20 RBI; 3-4 SB |
| Kylee Johnson (3) | Left Field | .222; 2 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 15 RBI; 8-8 SB |
| Jamison Brockenbrough (9) | Center Field | .336; 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 22 RBI; 8-8 SB |
In the circle, the Tigers will likely throw ACC Pitcher of the Year Reese Basinger followed by Brooke McCubbin:
| NAME (#) | Position | ‘25 Stats |
| Reese Basinger (7) | Right Handed Pitcher | 16-5; 2.92 ERA, 38 App, 29 starts, 158 IP, 114 K, 41 BB; OppBA: .245 |
| Brooke McCubbin (2) | Right Handed Pitcher | 16-5; 2.75 ERA, 34 App, 18 starts, 119.2 IP, 75 K, 35 BB; OppBA: .260 |
The Tigers started the season a little slower than they had in their previous 5 seasons, but really hit their stride late in the year with big wins against then #1 Tennessee on the road before winning the ACC tournament. The Tigers beat Florida State for the first time in the team’s existence.
Team Hitting Stats National Rankings:
Batting Average: .329 (27th)
Doubles/Game: 1.68 (17th)
Home Runs: 80 (T-11th)
Runs Batted In: 372 (11th)
Stolen Bases: 46 (T-157th)
Team Pitching National Rankings:
Team ERA: 2.67 (25th)
Strikeouts/Game: 4.76 (117th)
Here is a quick look at the #2 Seed Kentucky Wildcats lineup and regular season numbers. Kentucky beat the Tigers early in the season 6-5.
#2 Seed – Kentucky Wildcats
Coach Rachel Lawson – 18th Season at Kentucky
Record: 29-26 (7-17 SEC)
Probable Lineup for Kentucky :
| NAME (#) | Position | ‘25 Stats |
| Allie Blum (19) | Left Field | .331; 10 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 33 RBI; 4-6 SB |
| Peyton Plotts (37) | Right Field | .329; 14 2B, 2 3B, 15 HR, 51 RBI; 3-3 SB |
| Lauryn Borzilleri (88) | 1st Base | .271; 7 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 23 RBI; 2-2 SB |
| Ally Hutchins (7) | 3rd Base | .268; 4 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 18 RBI; 3-3 SB |
| Hallie Mitchell (00) | Designated Player | .311; 5 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 18 RBI |
| Madyson Clark (77) | 2nd Base | .273; 2B, 2 3B, HR, 10 RBI |
| Cassie Reasner (22) | Shortstop | .279; 5 2B, 10 HR, 30 RBI; 5-7 SB |
| Ella Emmert (9) | Catcher | .200; RBI |
| Emory Donaldson (99) | Center Field | .269; 6 2B, 2 3B, 18 RBI |
And in the circle, we can expect to see the following:
| NAME (#) | Position | ‘25 Stats |
| Carson Fall (23) | Right Handed Pitcher | 6-7; 4.28 ERA, 30 App, 15 starts, 72 IP, 54 K, 59 BB |
| Sydney Langdon (32) | Right Handed Pitcher | 3-7; 5.30 ERA, 23 App, 12 starts, 67.1 IP, 29 K, 46 BB |
| Sarah Haendiges (40) | Right Handed Pitcher | 10-5; 2.62 ERA, 32 App, 8 starts, 90.2 IP, 89 K, 43 BB |
Team Hitting Stats National Rankings:
Batting Average: .289 (123rd)
Doubles/Game: 1.18 (T-174th)
Home Runs: 57 (T-50th)
Runs Batted In: 246 (T-92nd)
Stolen Bases: 28 (T-243rd)
Team Pitching National Rankings:
Team ERA: 3.93 (139th)
Strikeouts/Game: 4.85 (107th)
Kentucky will open up the Clemson Regional playing the Northwestern Wildcats.
Here is a look at Northwestern:
#3 Seed – Northwestern Wildcats
Coach Kate Drohan (24th Season)
Record: 29-18-1 (16-6 Big 10)
Names and stats to know for the 3rd seeded Wildcats:
| NAME (#) | Position | ‘25 Stats |
| Grace Nieto (22) | 2nd Base | .347; 6 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI; 14-14 SB |
| Kaylie Avvisato (8) | Shortstop | .355; 9 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 30 RBI; 22-25 SB |
| Kelsey Nader (7) | Right Field | .343; 10 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 21 RBI; 11-13 SB |
| Kansas Robinson (10) | 1st Base | .245; 12 2B, 8 HR, 38 RBI |
| Izzy Cunnea (12) | Left Field | .357; 7 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 24 RBI; 4-5 SB |
| Bridget Donahey (5) | 3rd Base | .297; 7 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 20 RBI; 8-10 SB |
| Lauren Sciborski (2) | Designated Player | .231; 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI |
| Emma Raye (17) | Catcher | .246; 9 2B, 2 HR, 22 RBI; 2-2 SB |
| Ayana Lindsey (42) | Center Field | .221; 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI; 9-11 SB |
And in the circle, we can expect to see the following:
| NAME (#) | Position | ‘25 Stats |
| Lauren Boyd (15) | Right Handed Pitcher | 14-4; 2.57 ERA; 22 App, 19 starts, 109 IP; 104 K, 40 BB; OppBA: .216 |
| Signe Dohse (34) | Right Handed Pitcher | 2-1; 3.77 ERA, 17 App, 5 starts, 42.2 IP; 26 K, 25 BB; OppBA: .281 |
| Riley Grudzielanek (11) | Right Handed Pitcher | 9-10; 4.40 ERA, 24 App, 18 starts, 86 IP, 59 K, 59 BB; OppBA: .284 |
Team Hitting Stats National Rankings:
Batting Average: .290 (114th)
Doubles/Game: 1.42 (T-75th)
Home Runs: 43 (T-89th)
Runs Batted In: 221 (T-135th)
Stolen Bases: 83 (T-37th)
Team Pitching National Rankings:
Team ERA: 3.73 (122nd)
Strikeouts/Game: 5.25 (77th)
And finally, the Tigers first game match-up, the USC-Upstate Spartans:
#4 Seed – USC Upstate Spartans
Coach Chris Hawkins – 33rd Season at Upstate
Record: 39-14 (10-8 Big South)
Probable Starting Lineup for the Spartans:
| NAME (#) | Position | ‘25 Stats |
| Taliyah Thomas (31) | Right Field | .380; 14 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 32 RBI; 32-34 SB |
| Denver Lauer (71) | Center Field | .374; 10 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 58 RBI; 23-27 SB |
| Alanna Deal (10) | 3rd Base | .338; 15 2B, 5 HR, 31 RBI; 8-10 SB |
| Sophia Kardatzke (24) | Pitcher/Designated Player | .393; 13 2B, 2 3B, 15 HR, 55 RBI; 21-23 SB |
| Abigail Pippen (11) | Catcher | .258; 8 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 38 RBI |
| Abby Polk (00) | Shortstop | .333; 6 2B, 2 3B, 21 RBI; 27-29 SB |
| Carson Shaw (27) | 1st Base | .335; 9 2B, 7 HR, 50 RBI; 2-2 SB |
| Liza Simmerson (3) | 2nd Base | .351; 3 2B, 9 RBI |
| Amie Johnson (30) | Left Field | .379; 7 2B, 30 RBI; 12-12 SB |
And in the circle, we can expect to see one of the following:
| NAME (#) | Position | ‘25 Stats |
| Maddie Drerup (14) | Right Handed Pitcher | 14-3; 3.04 ERA, 27 App, 15 starts, 119.2 IP, 81 K, 30 BB; OppBA: .269 |
| Sophia Kardatzke (24) | Right Handed Pitcher | 4-4; 3.02 ERA, 16 App, 11 starts, 58 IP, 53 K, 52 BB; OppBA: .189 |
| Sierra Maness (1) | Right Handed Pitcher | 21-7; 1.97 ERA, 34 App, 27 starts, 160 IP, 117 K, 56 BB; OppBA: .228 |
Team Hitting Stats National Rankings:
Batting Average: .344 (12th)
Doubles/Game: 1.72 (10th)
Home Runs: 42 (T-93rd)
Runs Batted In: 345 (20th)
Stolen Bases: 151 (6th)
Team Pitching National Rankings:
Team ERA: 2.56 (23rd)
Strikeouts/Game: 5.17 (83rd)
Summary
The post-season is here and Clemson is the #11 overall seed. The winner of the Clemson Regional will play the winner of the Austin, Texas Regional where the Texas Longhorns are the #6 overall seed.
There are no easy games in the postseason. The Tigers have really gotten hot at the right time of the season. Kentucky did beat the Tigers early in the season in a hotly contested battle. Upstate won 39 games against really good competition and Northwestern finished the extremely tough Big 10 in 4th place overall.
The Tigers can and should win this regional, but it is going to take good performances from the stars and, like the ACC Tournament, may need a little magic from the supporting cast.
It should be a great weekend at McWhorter Stadium! Get there if you can.
Go Tigers!
