Clemson Tigers Softball Pulls Off Upset Over No.10 Georgia

TIGERSSS WINNNN!!!!! (Photo By: Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The Clemson Tigers softball team took on the No. 10-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in a Wednesday night midweek showdown at McWhorter Stadium. Sporting their white script Tigers uniforms with purple pants, Clemson battled hard and emerged victorious with a 5-3 upset win previously undefeated Georgia Bulldogs. Let’s break down the action.

Game Recap

Reese Basinger got the start in the circle for Clemson, continuing her strong performances. She set the tone early by striking out Georgia’s leadoff hitter, Dallis Goodnight, and delivered a scoreless first inning with one strikeout and one walk.

Clemson Tigers Strike First

Clemson wasted no time getting on the board. Alex Brown led off the bottom of the first with a double down the right-field line. Maddie Moore followed with a walk, and after a fielder’s choice, Macey Cintron delivered an RBI single up the middle to put the Tigers ahead 1-0. However, the rally ended with a lineout to first base.

Basinger Dominance in the Circle

Basinger dominated in the second and third innings, retiring six straight batters and recording four strikeouts. Clemson added to its lead in the third when Julia Knowler crushed a solo home run to right field, a 256-foot blast at 80 mph off the bat, marking her sixth homer of the season. The Tigers led 2-0 after three innings.

Georgia broke through in the fourth when Sarah Gordon doubled to right, ending Basinger’s no-hit bid. Unfazed, Basinger added two more strikeouts, bringing her total to seven. Clemson extended its lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the inning as Jamison Brockenbrough’s RBI single drove in Ava Wilson, who had reached on a walk.

Georgia Responds 

The Bulldogs responded in the fifth. Mua Williams’ RBI double scored Emma Castorri, and Tyler Ellison’s pinch-hit, two-run homer tied the game at 3-3. Basinger settled down, securing her eighth strikeout before ending the inning on a flyout.

McCubbin Comes in Relief 

After facing one batter in the sixth, head coach John Rittman turned to Brooke McCubbin in relief. Basinger finished her night with eight strikeouts, just one shy of her season high. McCubbin held Georgia scoreless in the sixth, allowing one walk and striking out one.

Tigers Retake the Lead and Upsets No. 10 Georgia

Clemson reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Pinch-hitter Haylee Whitesides roped a double to right-center, and Kennedy Ariail came in to pinch-run. Sam Minish followed with a single up the middle, advancing Ariail to third. Brockenbrough then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Ariail as the throw home from center field sailed high. Brown added an RBI single to right, scoring Minish and giving Clemson a 5-3 advantage.

McCubbin shut the door in the seventh, forcing a flyout, a strikeout, and a groundout to Maddie Moore to seal the Tigers' upset over No. 10 Georgia.

What’s Next?

Following the impressive 5-3 victory, Clemson turns its attention to the Tiger Invitational this weekend. The Tigers will face Lafayette and East Carolina on Friday, February 28, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Both games will be available on ACC Network Extra.