Clemson Softball Demolishes Georgia Tech in Game Two

Apr. 26, 2025; Atlanta, GA; Marian Collins is greeted by her teammates after her three-run homer against Georgia Tech. (Photo By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

ATLANTA, GA — On a beautiful Saturday in “The A,” the Clemson Tigers softball team looked to wrap up the series and add another win to their record. The Tigers entered the day 39-12 (17-5 ACC), just one win away from reaching 40 regular-season victories. They would have to finish the deal against Georgia Tech on the Yellow Jackets’ Senior Weekend. Clemson, dressed in all white uniforms with orange Tigers script across their chest, squared off against Georgia Tech’s all-blue uniforms with “Tech” in gold across theirs.

Clemson got the party started early. After a Maddie Moore one-out walk, Julia Knowler came through with an RBI double, just as she has all season. Clemson led 1-0. One of Clemson’s talented freshmen, Macey Cintron, followed up with an RBI double of her own, scoring Knowler to make it 2-0. Georgia Tech immediately went to the bullpen, bringing in Sydney Watts for Camden Anders, but the Tigers kept attacking fast. Watts had no better luck, issuing a four-pitch walk to Aby Vieira to put runners on first and second. That set up Marian Collins, a big hitter capable of sending one out of the park at any moment. She did exactly that, blasting a three-run shot to balloon the Clemson lead to 5-0.

The Yellow Jackets were clearly outmatched as the Tigers imposed their will early. Clemson made it back around to Alex Brown, who drew a five-pitch walk to load the bases. Maddie Moore came up for her second at-bat of the inning and made Watts work, ultimately drawing an RBI walk to make it 6-0. With Knowler stepping back into the box, Clemson threatened again. Watts then sailed a pitch over everyone’s head, allowing Brockenbrough to score from third, making it 7-0. Knowler would end the top half of the inning with a flyout to right-center.

Finally, after an almost 30-minute top half, Brooke McCubbin took her turn in the circle. McCubbin had a bit of a rocky start to the inning, allowing a walk and a single to put two runners on for Georgia Tech with one out, but she quickly settled in and stranded both, keeping Clemson ahead 7-0 after one.

Georgia Tech brought in Madison Furniss to pitch the second, but Clemson stayed patient. Cintron led off with a walk (Ariail pinch-ran), Vieira walked again, and Collins walked to load the bases. Freshman Taylor Pipkins came to the plate, and Clemson continued their disciplined approach, not chasing anything outside the zone. Pipkins jumped on a Furniss pitch, grounding into a double play, but Ariail scored to make it 8-0 Clemson by the end of the top half.

McCubbin continued her dominance in the bottom of the second, quickly setting the Jackets down with the final out coming on a strikeout of Emma Simon.

Clemson kept the train rolling in the third. Brockenbrough led off with a single and later scored on an Alex Brown RBI single. Maddie Moore, showing why she is so dangerous at the plate, smashed a two-run shot over the right field wall to push the lead to 11-0. After a Knowler strikeout, Cintron singled, Vieira walked again on four pitches, and Collins drew yet another walk to load the bases. Pipkins stepped up and roped a two-RBI double down the third base line, scoring Cintron and Vieira to make it 13-0. Georgia Tech would escape the inning, but the damage was done.

In the bottom of the third, Georgia Tech could not generate any momentum. McCubbin and the defense continued to lock things down, quickly retiring the side.

The Tigers came right back at it in the fourth. Alex Brown led off with a walk, followed by a Maddie Moore double to center. A Knowler walk loaded the bases, and Brown would score on a wild pitch. That set the stage for Macey Cintron, who delivered once again — this time a three-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole, stretching the Tigers' lead to 17-0.

Brooke McCubbin continued her stellar outing in the circle, keeping the Jackets guessing and showing she is poised and ready as the postseason approaches. Clemson’s balance on both sides of the ball has become a serious weapon down the stretch.

Clemson would tack on two more runs in the fifth. A Knowler RBI single over the center fielder’s head scored Sam Minish, and a fielding error off a Cintron ground ball allowed Fennell to score, pushing the lead to 19-0 — where it would stand as the final. Olivia Duncan would make an appearance to finish the game out in the bottom of the fifth, and she would strike out the side to send the Tigers to a run rule victory. Clemson improves to 40-12 (18-5 ACC), and doesn't look to be slowing down. This team is continuously picking up steam, and is dangerous.

Clemson will return tomorrow for the final game of the weekend and regular season, here at Mewborn Field. Game time is set for 12 PM EDT, and can be seen on ESPN2.