Clemson softball’s first game of the day in San Marcos turned into a long one in a hurry.
The Tigers were blanked 12–0 by Arkansas in five innings, as the Razorbacks exploded for nine runs in the third and never looked back.
After a quiet first two innings, Arkansas broke the game open with a crooked number that Clemson simply could not answer. The Razorbacks sent waves of hitters to the plate in the third, capitalizing on walks and timely extra-base hits to blow the game wide open. By the time the inning ended, the Tigers were staring at a nine-run deficit.
Arkansas finished with nine hits and drew seven walks, constantly applying pressure. Clemson, meanwhile, managed just one hit all afternoon and struck out 11 times against Razorback starter R. Herron, who allowed no runs over five innings.
On the mound, Abby Dunning was tagged with the loss after surrendering seven earned runs in 2.1 innings of work. Arkansas added five more runs against the bullpen to put the game out of reach.
The Tigers had limited traffic on the bases and went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, unable to generate any momentum offensively.
Game one belonged entirely to Arkansas. Clemson now turns its attention to the second half of the doubleheader, looking to reset and respond.
After a rough opening act, Clemson answered the only way good teams do. With dominance.
The Tigers shut out Brigham Young 7–0 in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader at Texas State, flipping the script behind a complete-game gem from Keira Crosby and a timely, efficient offensive showing.
Crosby was in control from the first pitch. The right-hander went the distance, scattering just three hits across seven shutout innings while striking out three and issuing no walks. BYU never found a rhythm, managing only three singles and leaving runners stranded in key moments.
Clemson’s offense gave Crosby early breathing room and never let up.
The Tigers plated four runs in the opening frame, immediately putting pressure on BYU starter Gianna Mares. Kiley Channell delivered the biggest swing of the inning, ripping a double that brought in two. Corri Hicks followed with an RBI double of his own, and Marian Collins added an RBI to cap off the inning.
Clemson tacked on two more runs in the third and another in the seventh, spreading production throughout the lineup. Channell finished 3 for 4, Hicks went 2 for 3 with four RBI, and Collins added an RBI as well.
It was the type of response Clemson needed.
After being shut out in Game One, the Tigers turned around and pitched their own shutout in Game Two, showcasing both resilience and balance.
Clemson now exits the doubleheader on a high note, carrying momentum into the rest of the weekend.
