Clemson Softball: Marian Collins and the Tigers Run-Rule Gardner Webb for 28th Win

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs in the first game of a two-game midweek series. Clemson came into this game off the back of a three-game sweep against the California Golden Bears last weekend. The Tigers were able to win their fourth game in a row after starting off the game with a six-run first and five-run second inning. Olivia Duncan picked up the win for the Tigers, her second of the season. The loss went to Anna Hornbaker, as she allowed five runs without picking up an out.

Clemson Starts Off Strong

Brooke McCubbin started off the night putting down the Bulldogs 1-2-3 on just nine pitches, and the Clemson offense took advantage of her strong start. The Tigers started off the inning with an Alex Brown triple down the right field line and a walk and stolen base by Maddie Moore to put runners on second and third with no outs to bring up the dangerous Julia Knowler. The Florida native continued her terrific season, lacing a base hit into right-center field to bring home the two runners and take an early 2-0 lead. The Clemson bats didn’t stop there, as Aby Vieira’s RBI double and Marian Collins’ two-run single gave the Tigers a five-run lead to bring up Jamison Brockenbrough. The junior’s RBI groundout gave Clemson a 6-0 lead heading into the top of the second inning.

Gardner-Webb Fights Back

The Runnin’ Bulldogs were able to get two runs back after going into an early six-run hole in the first frame. The inning started with a single by Ella Christopher and a double by Alli Stidham to put runners on second and third for Carmen McRae to do some damage. The North Carolina native did just that, with a two-run base knock to cut the Tigers' lead down to four. Gardner-Webb had a chance to do more in the inning, but Brooke McCubbin was able to settle down and get the next three batters out.  

Collins and Wilson Blow it Open in the Second

The Tigers’ bats stayed red hot in the bottom of the second as they continued to pour on the runs against the Runnin’ Bulldogs. The inning started with a single by Maddie Moore and a walk to Julia Knowler to put danger on the base paths for Clemson. With two outs in the inning, Marian Collins sent a blast over the right-center field wall for a three-run home run to give the Tigers an early seven-run lead. But the home runs weren’t done there as Ava Wilson followed up Kylee Johnson’s triple with a two-run jack to give Clemson an 11-2 lead heading into the third inning.

Gardner-Webb Gets One Back

The Runnin’ Bulldogs were able to get a run back in the top of the fifth inning to cut into the Tigers' large lead. The inning started with a double by Jailyn Tineo who would end up scoring on an RBI single from Ella Christopher to cut the Tigers' lead to eight. But it wouldn’t be enough for Gardner-Webb as they would be run-ruled by Clemson 11-3.

Takeaways:

● Deep Ball: Clemson got most of their production from the long ball in tonight’s game as Marian Collins and Ava Wilson both hit home runs. Collins’ home run came in the bottom of the second inning to extend the Clemson lead to seven runs. Wilson followed up Collins in the bottom of the second as well with a two-run shot to put the Tigers up 11-2. Those home runs helped Clemson run-rule the Runnin’ Bulldogs in just five innings of play.

● Up Next: The Clemson Tigers take a trip out to Stanford, California for an ACC weekend series with the Cardinal. The first game is Friday night at 9:00 PM EDT, and can be seen on ACCNX.