CLEMSON, S.C. – A first-inning grand slam from freshman Sarah Breaux highlighted a big early response as No. 24 Clemson rallied past Louisville for an 8-6 victory Friday afternoon at McWhorter Stadium. Junior Kiley Channell finished with two RBIs, while freshman Mac Pavese and junior Julia Knowler each drove in a run to help Clemson improve to 18-8 overall and 3-1 in ACC play. Louisville fell to 19-6 and 2-2 in the conference.
Louisville wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Jordan Williams lined a single that brought home two runs in the top of the first inning. Clemson miscues in the field helped extend the frame, allowing the Cardinals to add two more runs when Taylor Monroe singled and a passed ball allowed Williams to score from third, pushing the lead to 4-0.
The Tigers answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning with a two-out rally. Pavese came home when Knowler legged out an infield single, putting runners on the corners. After Corri Hicks drew a walk to load the bases, Breaux stepped in and launched a grand slam to center, swinging the momentum and giving Clemson a 5-4 lead.
The home run was the first grand slam for Clemson since Taylor Pipkins connected for one in the 2025 ACC Championship against Virginia. Breaux also became just the second Tiger to hit a grand slam for her first collegiate home run, joining Aby Vieira, who did so in 2022 against Akron.
Louisville responded in the second inning, scoring twice on a Madison Pickens single to regain a 6-5 advantage.
Clemson battled back again in the fourth inning by manufacturing a run. The Tigers laid down four consecutive bunts, including a squeeze from Channell that brought Kylee Johnson home to tie the game at six.
The Tigers pulled ahead for good in the sixth. Jamison Brockenbrough opened the inning with a triple, and Channell followed with a single that drove her in. Pavese later delivered a double that scored pinch runner Sarah Rocheleau, giving Clemson some breathing room with a two-run lead entering the seventh.
In the circle, junior Sierra Maness worked all seven innings for the Tigers. She struck out four and earned her 10th win of the season while holding off Louisville late.
Up Next
Clemson continues its ACC series against Louisville on Saturday, March 14, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at McWhorter Stadium. The game will also mark Alumni Day as players from the 2020-25 Clemson teams return to campus.
