Clemson Run-Rules NC State in Dominant Win

Reese Basinger (Photo By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first game of a three-game weekend set. Clemson came into this game off the back of a 4-1 midweek win against Winthrop on Wednesday. The Tigers would never look back after taking an early lead with a three-run first and eight-run second inning to run-rule the Wolfpack, 17-3, in five innings.

Reese Basinger picked up the win for the Tigers to improve to 13-4 on the season. Carly Maxton was charged with the loss for the Wolfpack after allowing six runs in 1.1 innings of work.

Clemson Takes Early Lead; Wolfpack Gets One Back

The Tigers started this game off on the right note, taking an early first-inning lead over the Wolfpack due to their fielding miscues. The inning started with Alex Brown's single and Hannah Goodwin's error to put runners on second and first with no outs. Julia Knowler stepped up to the plate and worked a walk to load the bases for the dangerous Macey Cintron. The Tigers’ first-year player grounded into an RBI fielder's choice to bring home Alex Brown for the first run of the game.

Aby Vieira added to the Clemson total with an RBI bunt single, bringing Maddie Moore home to put the Tigers up by two. Clemson wasn't done there, as another fielding miscue by the Wolfpack allowed Marian Collins to reach first base and Macey Cintron to score, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first frame, Reese Basinger got two quick outs and seemed to be heading into the second inning with a three-run lead until Kendall Simmers stepped up to the dish. The Wolfpack's three-hole hitter belted a home run over the left-field wall to cut the Clemson lead to two heading into the second inning.

Clemson Blows It Open in the Second Inning

Clemson continued to pour it on in the second inning as the Tigers extended their lead to a whopping ten runs. The inning started with singles by Jamison Brockenbrough and Alex Brown and a walk to Maddie Moore to load the bases with no outs for Julia Knowler. The Tigers’ three-hole hitter couldn't come through, as she flew out to left field, but Macey Cintron's single gave Clemson a four-run lead.

Aby Vieira once again laid down an RBI bunt to bring home Alex Brown and give Clemson a 5-1 lead. But the damage wasn't done there, as Marian Collins sent a grand slam over the left-center field wall to give the Tigers an eight-run lead. The Wolfpack's fielding and pitching struggles would continue to bite them, as the Tigers loaded the bases once again and a Maddie Moore two-run single gave Clemson a ten-run lead in the second inning.

Pipkins and Co. Extend the Clemson Lead; NC State Gets Two in Fifth

The Tigers scored once again in the fourth inning as Taylor Pipkins and the Clemson offense continued to roll. The inning started with a leadoff home run by Taylor Pipkins, the first of her career, to give the Tigers an 11-run lead.

But Clemson wasn't done there, as Jamison Brockenbrough followed up Pipkins with a triple, and Alex Brown brought her home with an RBI single to put the Tigers up 13-1 in the fourth inning. The Tigers kept pouring it on as Macey Cintron's three-run bomb gave Clemson their most runs in a game, with 16. In the top of the fifth inning, Clemson would tack on another after Riley Fennell's RBI fielder's choice gave Clemson a 17-1 lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Wolfpack got two runs back on a two-run single by Taylor Ensley, but it wasn’t enough as Clemson run-ruled the Wolfpack 17-3 in five innings.

Takeaways

● Clemson Freshmen – The Tigers' bats were unstoppable in tonight's game, as 16 runs scored was their most on the season. The freshmen were the catalysts for the Clemson offense, as Macey Cintron went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, Jamison Brockenbrough went 3-for-3 with a triple, Marian Collins went 2-for-3 with a grand slam, and Taylor Pipkins hit the first home run of her young career.

● Reese Basinger – The Tigers’ senior was on the money in tonight's game, throwing a strong four innings and picking up the win for Clemson. With the win, Basinger improved her record to 13-4 and her ERA to 2.76 on the season. Basinger only allowed one hit on the night—Kendall Simmers' solo home run—while striking out three batters.