Just days removed from a dominant 4–0 showing in the Clemson Classic, the Clemson softball team carried that confidence into one of the toughest road environments on its schedule and delivered a statement win Wednesday night, defeating No. 11 Georgia 10–1 at Jack Turner Stadium.
The victory pushes Clemson to 11–5 on the season and extends a stretch of play that has quickly reshaped the tone of its early campaign.
After recording four consecutive shutouts at home over the weekend, Clemson proved its surge was not situational. It traveled.
The Tigers wasted little time setting the tone against Georgia. Clemson struck for 2 runs in the first inning and added another in the second before delivering the knockout blow, a 5-run fourth inning that broke the game open and quieted the home crowd.
Clemson finished with 12 hits, including three home runs, and consistently punished Georgia pitching when given opportunities.
Mac Pavese powered the offense with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs, turning on pitches early in counts and driving them with authority. Marian Collins added a home run of her own, while Kylee Johnson also left the yard as Clemson showcased the power that defined its Clemson Classic performance.
The Tigers were aggressive but disciplined, capitalizing on runners in scoring position and forcing Georgia’s staff to work from behind in counts throughout the night.
While the offense grabbed headlines, Sierra Maness continued Clemson’s run of dominant pitching performances.
Maness delivered 6 complete innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 run while striking out 8. After surrendering a run in the first inning, she settled in immediately, retiring 14 of the next 16 batters and keeping Georgia from stringing together sustained threats.
Clemson’s defense backed her cleanly, committing no errors and turning routine plays into outs, maintaining the sharp execution that carried the Tigers through the weekend.
Georgia entered the matchup 13–4 and ranked No. 11 nationally, making Wednesday’s road result one of Clemson’s most significant early-season wins.
Across its last five games, Clemson has outscored opponents 37–1, combining power hitting with efficient pitching and steady defense. What began as a response in the Clemson Classic has now evolved into a clear upward trend.
Winning on the road against a ranked opponent builds belief. Clemson left Athens with both.
