Clemson softball achieved a historic milestone Thursday night, capturing its first-ever Super Regional victory with a commanding 7-4 defeat of third-seeded Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin. The 13th-seeded Tigers (48-12) moved within one win of their first Women’s College World Series appearance while making program history in the process.
Just five years after becoming a Division I varsity sport in 2020, Clemson stands on the verge of reaching college softball’s ultimate stage. The victory represents a breakthrough moment for a program that had previously fallen short in its two prior Super Regional appearances, losing to Oklahoma in 2023 and Oklahoma State in 2022.
Tigers’ 11-Hit Attack Fuels Historic Victory
Alex Brown delivered the performance of her career when it mattered most, going 3-for-5 from the leadoff spot while scoring two crucial runs. The third baseman’s consistent ability to reach base throughout the contest set an aggressive tone that carried through the entire Tigers lineup.
Maddie Moore continued her exceptional season with a 2-for-4 effort that included two runs scored and one RBI, extending her season total to 67 RBIs. Julia Knowler provided crucial run production with a 1-for-4 showing that featured a double and two RBIs, bringing her season total to 60.
Marian Collins delivered the game’s most pivotal moment with a 1-for-4 line, recording two RBIs including a momentum-shifting two-run double in the third inning. The shortstop’s ability to come through with runners in scoring position demonstrated the Tigers’ championship-caliber clutch hitting.
Pitching Staff Rises to Historic Occasion
Reese Basinger earned the victory that will forever be remembered in Clemson softball history, working four innings while allowing six hits and two runs with only one earned. The right-hander improved to 18-5 on the season with the win, demonstrating remarkable composure in the most pressure-packed environment of her career.
Brooke McCubbin provided the difference-making relief performance that secured Clemson’s first Super Regional victory, pitching three innings and allowing four hits and two runs while earning her fifth save of the season. McCubbin’s ability to preserve the Tigers’ lead through the final three frames proved essential in completing the historic achievement.
Game-Defining Moments
Texas struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Kayden Henry singled to shortstop and advanced to second on Mia Scott’s bunt single. Henry then scored when she advanced to third on a fielding error by Clemson first baseman Knowler, giving the Longhorns an early 1-0 advantage.
The Tigers’ breakthrough came in the third inning, where they scored three runs to seize control. The rally began with Brown reaching base with a single to left center, followed by Moore’s single to right center that advanced Brown to third. After Knowler fouled out to third base, Cintron reached on a fielder’s choice when Texas shortstop Stewart committed an error, allowing Brown to score the tying run unearned. Collins then delivered the knockout punch with a two-run double to left field, scoring both Ariail and Moore to give Clemson a 3-1 advantage.
Clemson delivered the decisive blow in the sixth inning with a four-run explosion that effectively secured the program’s first Super Regional victory. Johnson walked to lead off the inning, followed by Brockenbrough’s infield single to the pitcher. Brown then reached on a fielder’s choice that loaded the bases with nobody out after a successful replay review overturned the initial call.
With the bases loaded, Moore drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI single through the left side, scoring Johnson to make it 4-2. Knowler followed with the inning’s biggest blow, a two-run double to right center that scored both Brockenbrough and Brown, extending the lead to 6-2. Vieira completed the four-run rally with an RBI groundout that scored Moore, giving Clemson a commanding 7-2 advantage.
Breaking Program Barriers
This victory carries profound significance beyond the box score, as Clemson had never won a Super Regional game in program history despite reaching this stage twice previously. The Tigers entered the 2025 postseason with a 12-9 overall record in NCAA Tournament play, having been swept in both previous Super Regional appearances.
Under head coach John Rittman, Clemson has established itself as a consistent championship contender, with this victory representing the culmination of years of building toward this breakthrough moment.
Looking Toward History
Clemson enters Game 2 with unprecedented momentum and the confidence that comes from breaking through a significant program barrier. The Tigers need just one more victory to complete their journey to Oklahoma City and join the elite eight teams competing for the national championship.
The series continues Friday evening at McCombs Field at 9 p.m. ET, where Clemson will attempt to complete their historic run and advance to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history. The Tigers will be the designated home team on ESPN2. Texas faces elimination and must win both remaining games to extend their season, setting up a compelling Game 2 matchup between a program seeking to make history and another fighting to preserve their championship hopes.
