Clemson Softball Set for Tough Test at Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational

Brooke McCubbin delivers a powerful pitch during Clemson's 2024 game against Charlotte. (Photo by Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

This upcoming weekend, the Clemson Tigers softball team is set to make another trip to Florida for the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Florida, at the Eddie C. Moore Complex. The Tigers will look to play five games in four days against some elite competition college softball has to offer. In last weekend's trip to Boca Raton, Florida, at the Paradise Classic, Clemson left with a record of 3-2. They look to build on that in the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational. Let’s preview the matchups of teams that the Tigers will play against this weekend.

Missouri

Clemson opens the tournament against Missouri in the first of two games on Thursday, February 13, with the first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. on ESPN2. The No. 15-ranked Missouri Tigers are off to a strong start this season, holding a 4-1 record after competing in the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic. One key player to watch is Stefania Abruscato, who earned a spot on the 2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic All-Tournament Team after batting .438 with four runs, two doubles, a homer, and four RBIs. Missouri has already made a statement this season with a dominant 10-3 win over No. 7 Duke, the reigning ACC champions. Clemson will have its hands full right out of the gate against a red-hot Missouri squad.

Auburn 

In their second game on Thursday, February 13, Clemson will face another group of Tigers, this time taking on Auburn at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN2. Auburn is off to a perfect start, going 5-0 in their Opening Weekend on the Plains tournament. A key player to watch is Nelia Peralta, who was named SEC Co-Player of the Week on Monday after a dominant opening weekend performance. Peralta posted a .611 batting average over five games, racking up 11 hits, including three home runs and two doubles. She also scored nine runs and drove in 10 RBIs, reaching a career milestone with her 100th RBI at Auburn. With a .667 on-base percentage and an impressive 1.222 slugging percentage, Peralta was locked in at the plate as she did not strike out once in 18 at-bats. Clemson will need to bring their A-game to close out Thursday’s doubleheader against two talented SEC opponents in Missouri and Auburn.

Kentucky

Clemson continues its SEC-heavy schedule on Friday, February 14, with a 1:00 p.m. matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats on ESPN2. Kentucky enters the weekend with a 4-1 record, having won the 2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic despite a loss to Duke. They secured the tournament title with a dominant +34 run differential, showcasing their strength on both offense and defense. The Wildcats are getting it done on both sides of the ball. Their pitching staff currently holds a 1.69 ERA, led by Sarah Haendiges, who has pitched in three games without allowing an earned run and leads the team with six strikeouts. Offensively, freshman Allie Blum has been a standout performer, posting a .600 batting average, .867 slugging percentage, and 1.533 OPS. Her best game came against Duke, where she went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Kentucky presents yet another tough challenge for Clemson in the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational, making this a key test for the Tigers.

Central Florida 

Clemson will have an early start on Saturday, February 15, facing the UCF Knights at 9:00 a.m. on the ACC Network. Like Clemson’s previous opponents, UCF enters the weekend with a strong 5-1 record after competing in their Black & Gold Classic tournament. The Knights' biggest strength lies in their pitching staff, which holds an impressive 1.23 team ERA. Senior Kaitlyn Felton and junior Lena Elkins have been dominant, each recording nine strikeouts so far this season. At the plate, sophomore Samantha Rey leads the team with a .467 batting average and a .529 on-base percentage. Meanwhile, fellow sophomore Sierra Humphreys made a big impact during the Black & Gold Classic, racking up four doubles in the tournament. Clemson will once again face a gritty and talented opponent in UCF, making for another tough battle in the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational.

Ohio State

Clemson will wrap up the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational on Sunday, February 16, with a 10:00 a.m. matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes on ESPNU. Ohio State enters the weekend with a 4-0 record after an impressive showing at the Elon Softball Classic to open the season. The Buckeyes had two players earn Big Ten Conference honors this week for their standout performances. Lorin Boutte was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week after a dominant collegiate debut. The freshman logged 12.1 innings, striking out 25 batters while allowing just two hits and zero earned runs. On Friday, she threw a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts in a 13-0 win over North Carolina Central, becoming just the third freshman in the last 24 years to accomplish that feat and the first player since 2014. Jasmyn Burns earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors after leading the conference in batting average (.714), slugging percentage (1.143), and on-base percentage (.733). She recorded multiple hits in all four games, highlighted by a 3-for-4 performance with a home run and five RBIs in the season opener. Burns also homered against UConn, leading the Buckeyes to a 3-1 victory. Ohio State has a talented and well-rounded roster, making them a dangerous final opponent for Clemson in this highly competitive tournament.

A Very Competitive Field

The Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational presents a challenging slate of games for Clemson, as they face off against five talented teams, including three from the SEC and a pair of strong contenders from the Big Ten and Big 12. Each opponent brings a unique challenge, from Missouri’s early-season dominance to Auburn’s explosive offense, Kentucky’s balanced attack, UCF’s stellar pitching, and Ohio State’s hot start. For the Tigers, this tournament is an opportunity to build off their 3-2 start and prove themselves against some of the best competition in college softball. Success in Clearwater will require strong performances in the circle, consistency at the plate, and the ability to compete at a high level over four days in Clearwater. As Clemson looks to make a statement on the national stage, this weekend will be a key test for John Rittman’s team in their 2025 campaign.