The No. 13 Clemson softball team waited patiently in Clearwater, Florida, for its moment to strike.
After six scoreless innings and a one-run deficit, Clemson’s bats finally broke through late, using a pair of home runs and timely hitting in the final two frames to secure a 5–3 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Florida.
The win pushed Clemson to 1–0 on the young season and showcased the type of resilience that head coach John Rittman’s club has come to be known for throughout the years.
For much of the night, runs were hard to come by on both sides. Clemson and Southeastern Louisiana traded zeros through the first five innings as pitching and defense controlled the pace. The Lady Lions were the first to crack the scoreboard in the top of the sixth, when Cydnee Schneider singled up the middle to drive in Chloe Magee from second base, giving Southeastern Louisiana a 1–0 edge.
Clemson’s response came swiftly and emphatically.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jamison Brockenbrou launched a two-run homer to right field, flipping the game in one swing. Kylee Johnson came around to score from first on the blast, sending Clemson in front 2–1 and injecting life into a lineup that had been quiet for most of the evening.
Southeastern Louisiana answered back later in the inning, evening the score at 2–2 on an RBI double from Maria Detillier down the left-field line that plated Shelby Morris from second base. Magee advanced to third on the play, putting pressure right back on Clemson’s defense.
But the Tigers once again found answers in the eighth.
Marian Collins delivered a clutch single up the middle to score Kennedy Ariail from second base, giving Clemson a 3–2 advantage. Moments later, Corri Hicks stepped to the plate and provided the knockout punch, crushing a two-run home run to right center that extended the Tigers’ lead to 5–2.
Southeastern Louisiana managed to scratch across one run in the top of the eighth on an RBI single from Ka’Lyn Watson, but Clemson’s pitching staff closed the door from there.
Hicks finished the night 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Brockenbrou went 1-for-2 with two RBIs, two walks, and a run. Collins added a 2-for-3 performance with an RBI and a walk, serving as a steady presence in the middle of the order.
In the circle, Clemson used a trio of pitchers to navigate the Lady Lions’ lineup. Abby Dunning worked 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out two. Sierra Maness earned the win after tossing 5.2 innings of relief, giving up four hits and one run with six strikeouts despite issuing five walks. Lexie Hames made a brief appearance and recorded a strikeout.
Southeastern Louisiana collected seven hits in the contest, led by Maria Detillier’s 3-for-4 night with an RBI. Cloe Magee reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored.
While Clemson committed three errors in the field, the Tigers limited the damage and made key defensive plays when it mattered most, especially in the late innings.
Beyond the box score, the game served as an early reminder of how quickly Clemson’s offense can change a contest. One swing from Brockenbrou altered the trajectory in the seventh, and Hicks’ blast in the eighth erased any lingering doubt.
For a team with postseason aspirations, finding ways to win tight games early in the season carries added significance. Wednesday’s victory wasn’t flashy, but it was gritty, the type of win that often defines successful campaigns.
Clemson will look to build on the momentum as tournament play continues in Clearwater, aiming to sharpen its approach at the plate while continuing to develop depth in the pitching staff.
If this opener was any indication, the Tigers are comfortable waiting for their moment and fully capable of capitalizing when it arrives.
Final Box Scores
CLEMSON
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
