Clemson Tigers Softball: Tigers Dominate in Game Two Against Charleston Southern, Extend Winning Streak to 14

Alex Brown comes into second during Clemson's game vs. Charleston Southern. (Photo By: Charles Mays/ Tiger View Media)

Macey Cintron (4-2) took the circle for Game 2 as the Clemson Tigers faced off against Charleston Southern. After allowing a leadoff single, she quickly settled in, inducing a pop-up before a smooth 6-4-3 double play ended the top of the first inning.

Clemson wasted no time offensively. Alex Brown led off with a walk, advancing to second on a wild pitch during Maddie Moore’s at-bat. Moore capitalized, driving in Brown with a base hit up the middle. Julia Knowler followed with another single, advancing Moore. Aby Vieira then hit into a fielder’s choice, moving Moore to third. With runners on the corners, Vieira stole second during Sam Minish’s at-bat, and Minish was later walked to load the bases. Haylee Whitesides came through with a two-RBI single and advanced to second. Sam Minish, after suffering a hand injury, was replaced by Riley Fennell as a pinch-runner at third. Fennell scored on a passed ball during Kylee Johnson’s at-bat, and Johnson who walked later stole second. Marian Collins hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Whitesides. Jamison Brockenbrough worked a walk, bringing Alex Brown back up for the second time in the inning, where she grounded out to second. Clemson erupted for a five-run first inning, taking a 5-0 lead.

Cintron continued her strong outing, keeping Charleston Southern scoreless in the top of the second despite allowing a walk and a hit while recording a strikeout.

In the bottom of the second, Clemson’s offense remained relentless. Maddie Moore walked and advanced to third on Aby Vieira’s double off the center-field wall. Another walk to Minish loaded the bases for Whitesides, who walked to bring in a run. Kylee Johnson popped up to the catcher before Marian Collins roped a shot to the left-center gap, extending the lead to 8-0. Brockenbrough walked to load the bases again, setting the stage for Alex Brown, who crushed a grand slam to left field—her first home run of the year—blowing the game wide open at 12-0. Clemson tacked on seven runs in the inning.

Cintron remained steady in the circle, working a scoreless third inning with a strikeout, a walk, and just one hit allowed. The Tigers were held scoreless in the bottom of the third.

Olivia Duncan took over pitching duties in the top of the fourth and dominated with a 1-2-3 inning. Clemson went down in order in the bottom half of the fourth.

Duncan returned in the fifth to close out the run-rule victory, surrendering just one hit while recording a strikeout. The game ended on a groundout, securing a 12-0 Clemson win.

With the sweep of Charleston Southern, Clemson extended its winning streak to 14 games. Now, the Tigers turn their focus to a major challenge in the reigning ACC Champions, Duke. The Blue Devils come to McWhorter Stadium for a pivotal weekend series as Clemson begins ACC play. The series opener is set for Friday at 6 p.m., with coverage on ACC Network Extra.