Macey Cintron will be a star for years to come..
Macey Cintron: Freshman All-American
Coach John Rittman and the Clemson Tigers softball team have established this program as one that turns out talented players in the six years of this program’s existence. As the years continue and the program builds more of a national presence in the softball landscape, new faces will continue to emerge and make impacts.
This season saw a handful of freshmen make immediate contributions to the team. One of those, Macey Cintron, wasted no time showing how effective she could be as a two-way player, helping the Tigers in big moments at the plate and in the circle.
Cintron came up clutch throughout the year. In just the second game of the season, she smashed a two-run home run against Ole Miss to get her year off to a fast start. That wasn’t a one-time spark either, Cintron’s ability to deliver in key situations became a theme for the Tigers. On March 29 at McWhorter Stadium, she walked off the California Golden Bears with a two-RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 2-1 Clemson win.
Her bat stayed hot all season long. Cintron finished the year with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs, a .292 batting average, and a 1.001 OPS. Those numbers show just how much of a force she was in the Clemson lineup, and how much she contributed as a true freshman.
Her talent wasn’t just limited to the batter’s box. In the circle, Cintron was a steady presence for the Tigers, finishing the season with an 8-2 record, a 2.25 ERA, and 48 strikeouts in 62.1 innings pitched over 23 appearances.
She served primarily as a reliever but also started seven games earlier in the year and showed she could handle the ball in any role. Cintron threw two complete games during the season, her first a complete seven-inning, three-hit, 10-strikeout performance against Elon on February 21. On April 9, Cintron put together a seven-inning complete-game win against Winthrop, striking out 10 and allowing only two hits.
For her efforts, Macey Cintron has been on the radar this season. Cintron was named Softball America’s Star of the Week and D1Softball’s Freshman of the Week following games played from April 22 to 27. To cap off the regular season, she was named ACC Freshman of the Year on May 7, and named to Softball America’s Freshman All-American team last week. Today, she has been recognized once again, this time by D1Softball, earning a spot on their Freshman All-American First Team.
The Clemson Tigers softball program has shown the ability to put together a well-respected and accomplished season, even after losing a foundational core group of players. This year, the program is losing a few more of those pieces, but with players like Macey Cintron, this program is in great hands for years to come. Coach John Rittman and staff, along with the current players and incoming additions, should be right back in the conversation next season.
Look for Macey Cintron to be a sophomore leader on this team. Stay tuned everyone, if you thought this season was great, just wait for the next. This team is primed and ready to make more noise.
Cintron’s freshman season was just the beginning. With her clutch bat, strong pitching, and poised presence, she’s shaping up to be a star for Clemson Softball for years to come. The Tigers have a special player in Macey Cintron, and it’s going to be fun to watch her continuous growth.
