Clemson Softball Takes Late Night Game 1 at Austin Super Regional

Deep in the heart of Texas, No. 11 Clemson Softball kicked off the super regional round against No. 6 Texas. In a best-of-three series, the Tigers have an opportunity to win their first super regional game. Both teams swept their respective regionals. Clemson is 0-1 against the Longhorns after facing them for the first time in 2022 during opening weekend action. This year’s squad sees the pressure as a privilege. They won’t back down. 

Four pitches in, the game went on a weather delay due to lightning. Longhorn starting pitcher Tegan Kavan wasn’t affected by the hour-and-33-minute wait. Alex Brown had a leadoff single, but the next three batters would be retired when play resumed. 

Texas used its first challenge of the game on Kayden Henry, initially being called out at first base. The call was overturned. This would prove critical when Reese Basinger went to field a bunt from Mia Scott in the next at-bat. First baseman Julia Knowler would miss the throw. Henry showcased her speed, rounding the bases for Texas’s first run. Basinger earned the error, but Knowler arguably could have fielded the throw. 

Brown and Maddie Moore had consecutive hits to open the third. Macey Cintron’s ground ball to Texas’s shortstop would record an error, scoring Brown. With one out and bases loaded, Marian Collins drove the ball into deep left field. Clemson plated two more runs. 

Longhorn third baseman Scott sent Basinger’s pitch to deep left field. Scott’s 8th home run of the year pushed the score within one. 

Ashton Maloney had a leadoff single in the fifth. Henry followed with a double. This would bring in Clemson’s Brooke McCubbin to the circle. The next batter was intentionally walked to load the bases. Texas attempted a sacrifice fly, but center fielder Jamison Brockenbrough had other plans. Her throw to home was on the money, getting the final out to end the inning. 

In the sixth, Clemson got bases loaded with no outs. Moore’s single would be her 67th RBI of the season. Julia Knowler kept the rally going with a two-run double. Another RBI from Vieira scored Moore. The Tigers extended their lead to 7-2. 

Three straight hits loaded the bases for Texas, with two outs. This brought out head coach John Rittman to talk with his infielders. Henry capitalized on a 0-2 count, delivering a single up the middle to send two runners across the plate. 

The game took longer than expected due to the weather delay, but Clemson eventually defeated Texas 7-4. This marks the program’s first super regional win. The Longhorns previously had a 37-1 record when scoring first in a game. Despite Texas’s initial lead, a four-run sixth inning from Clemson would push them to victory. 

Clemson’s pitchers were able to keep one of the most powerful offenses in the country relatively quiet for the night. Basinger would earn the win, now 18-5. She finished with 6 hits and 2 runs through 4 innings pitched. 

Game two will be played on Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Watch out as Clemson has the chance to take the series and extend their season. Sweet dreams, Tiger fans.