Clemson Takes Down East Carolina for Ninth-Straight Win

Macey Cintron during Clemson's game vs. Lafayette on Friday, February 28, 2025. (Photo By: Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the East Carolina Pirates in their second game of the day after beating Lafayette 11-3. Clemson was in control for most of the game after taking a four-run lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Tigers would hold onto that lead the rest of the way and win the ballgame 6-2. The win went to Clemson’s Macey Cintron, as she allowed only one run through four innings of work. For East Carolina, the loss went to Kendall Frost, as she allowed five of the Tigers’ six runs.

Pirates Get on the Board First

East Carolina struck first in the top of the second inning, as Hailey Massaro’s single to left field got the Pirates on the board. Logan Sutton started the rally for the Pirates with a double down the third base line to get into scoring position for Brooke Masingale. After Masingale walked, Hailey Massaro came through with two outs to give the Pirates an early one-run lead. Macey Cintron was able to limit the damage as she got Emma Jackson to fly out with the bases loaded.

Clemson Gets in Front

After the Pirates took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second, the Tigers answered right back in the bottom of the third frame. The inning started with a Marian Collins hit-by-pitch to get the Clemson rally going. After Alex Brown reached on a fielder’s choice and Maddie Moore singled, the Tigers had runners on first and second for the dangerous Julia Knowler. The sophomore from Fort Myers, Florida, did not disappoint, drilling a double down the first base line to clear the bases and give Clemson a 2-1 lead. Kendall Frost got out of further trouble by striking out Macey Cintron looking.

Clemson Extends the Lead

One inning after taking the lead, the Tigers put more runs on the board. The fourth inning started with an Ava Wilson walk, which brought Sam Minish to the plate. The freshman from Hull, Georgia, came through with an RBI triple to put the Tigers up by two. But the Tigers weren’t done there. Aby Vieira’s sac bunt and Jamison Brockenbrough’s sac fly gave Clemson a 5-1 lead and knocked Kendall Frost out of the game. After Frost was taken out, Clemson was able to load the bases for Julia Knowler and Macey Cintron, but both were unable to take advantage as Taylor Apple got out of the jam.

ECU and Clemson Trade Runs in the Sixth

East Carolina and Clemson scored a run each in the sixth inning to keep Clemson in front by four. After Logan Sutton reached base for the Pirates, Chloe Geijer was able to bring her home to cut the Clemson lead to three heading into the bottom of the sixth. But the Tigers responded with a run of their own after Ava Wilson’s walk loaded the bases for Sam Minish. The Clemson left fielder was able to bring home Maddie Moore and put the Tigers up 6-2 heading into the final frame.

Takeaways From Tigers' Ninth-Straight Win

Macey Cintron - The freshman from Cumming, Georgia, has been terrific for the Tigers to start the season. Coming into this game, Cintron was sporting a 3.67 ERA and a .219 batting average against, along with 22 strikeouts and a 3-2 record. Cintron continued her hot start to the season today, throwing four innings, allowing just four hits and one run while picking up the win for the Tigers.

Doubleheader Sweep - Clemson came into today’s game against the Pirates after resoundingly beating Lafayette 11-3 earlier in the day. After beating East Carolina 6-2, the Tigers had a very successful day, outscoring their opponents 17-5. The Tigers started the season 3-6, but after today’s games, they get their ninth-straight win to move to 12-6 on the season.