Clemson Softball Stays Hot, Takes Game One Over Georgia Tech

Clemson Softball's Kylee Johnson (Photo By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

We have finally reached the end of regular season softball. No. 19 Clemson traveled to take on Georgia Tech for the conclusion of ACC play. The Tigers are coming off a huge mid-week victory, taking down No. 1 Tennessee. A 4-3 win in extra innings marked the highest-ranked victory in program history. Today's matchup is the 11th between these two teams, with the Tigers holding a 10-0 record over the Yellow Jackets.

Sophia Voyles got the start for Georgia Tech. She conceded a leadoff walk and a single to Maddie Moore before her catcher came out to talk. The exchange worked as Voyles struck out the next two batters. The two initial runners would be left stranded. Then, with two outs in the second, Alyssa Wiler put the Yellow Jackets on top with a solo home run.

Clemson responded quickly as the top of the lineup came back up. Maddie Moore sent the first pitch of her at-bat over the right-center field wall. This is her 14th home run of the season, tying Julia Knowler for most on the team. The Tigers tied it up 1-1.

The bats kept rolling. Marian Collins started the fourth with a leadoff double. Kylee Johnson hit a homer to tack on two more runs. This retired Voyles. The senior would be replaced by Kinsey Norton. In the fifth, two walks and a hit from Aby Vieira would load the bases with one out. Freshman Taylor Pipkins stepped up to the plate. Her double scored all three runners. Pipkins remains perfect on the season with loaded bases. The young right fielder has demonstrated her ability to provide Clemson with clutch hitting.

Aside from allowing the lone home run, Reese Basinger pitched a dominant complete game. Georgia Tech struggled to make quality contact, and pop-ups or ground ball outs frequented the Clemson infield. Basinger collected three strikeouts and conceded no walks. The Yellow Jackets saw a glimpse of hope late, with Paige Vukadinovich picking up an RBI in the seventh.

Posting scores in three consecutive innings, Clemson would take game one of the series 6-2. The Tigers’ offense continues to stay hot. This combined with quality appearances from Basinger makes Clemson softball dangerous. Stay tuned as Clemson looks to secure the series tomorrow at 7 p.m.