Clemson Tops Stanford in Historic First Meeting to Open ACC Series

Stanford, California – A New Chapter for Clemson Softball

For the first time in program history, the No. 25 Clemson Tigers (28-10, 9-3 ACC) are in Stanford, California, to compete for ACC standing. Yes, you read that right. The ACC now includes the No. 15 Stanford Cardinal , who joined the conference this athletic year. But you knew that already. Leading the Tigers into familiar territory is head coach John Rittman, who returns to a place he once called home. Rittman served as Stanford’s head coach from 1997 to 2014, and now he brings his Clemson squad west with a series win on their mind.

Early Firepower Sparks Clemson Offense

Reese Basinger (11-4) took the circle for the Tigers, while Stanford countered with Zoe Prystajko (8-2).

Clemson wasted no time setting the tone. Usual leadoff Alex Brown reached base on a walk, setting the stage for California native Maddie Moore. On a full count, Moore launched a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall, giving the Tigers a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Against No. 15 Stanford on the road, jumping ahead early was exactly what Clemson needed.

Basinger Escapes Early Jam

In the bottom of the first, Basinger and the Clemson defense retired the first two Stanford batters quickly. The Cardinal then loaded the bases, beginning with a River Mahler double to right. After two walks and a hit by pitch to Joie Economides, Basinger locked in and struck out Kyra Chan to escape without any damage.

Clemson Adds One in the Third

In the third, Clemson again found success by forcing mistakes. Jamison Brockenbrough was hit by a pitch and Brown walked to start the inning. After Moore was retired, Julia Knowler reached on a fielder’s choice and Macey Cintron drew a walk to load the bases. Then Prystajko hit Aby Vieira to force in a run. Brown came home and Clemson extended its lead to 3-0.

Stanford Gets on the Board

Stanford answered in the bottom half. Emily Jones and Jade Berry both got on and Economides was hit by a pitch to load the bases. This time, Chan came through with an RBI single to score one. Berry tried to stretch the play and come home but was thrown out to end the inning. Clemson held a 3-1 lead heading into the fourth.

Cardinal Chip Away but Clemson Holds Strong

Kylie Chung entered the circle for Stanford with two outs in the fourth and got the final out. In the bottom half, the Cardinal kept pressing. Koch walked and Chung singled to put two on. After a strikeout, Emily Jones hit an RBI single down the right field line, scoring Dani Hayes and cutting the lead to 3-2.

Tigers Answer Right Back

In the fifth, Clemson kept the pressure on. Brown grounded out, but Moore walked and Knowler singled to center. Cintron walked to load the bases and Vieira picked up another RBI walk to push the lead to 4-2. Chung was in trouble, but managed to escape the inning without further damage. Basinger answered with a quick one-two-three inning in the bottom half of the fifth, keeping the momentum on Clemson’s side.

Knowler Delivers the Big Blow

In the sixth, Brockenbrough and Moore reached with two outs. That prompted Stanford to bring back Prystajko, but it did nothing to slow down Clemson. Knowler immediately blasted a three-run homer, her 13th of the season, to blow the game open with a 7-2 lead. Clemson’s bats have come up clutch all year, and this was another timely example.

Stanford Fights Back in the Sixth

Chung responded with her first home run of the season, taking Basinger deep to left to make it 7-3. The Cardinal weren’t done yet. Kern and Jones walked, and Mahler followed with a two-RBI double to cut the lead to 7-5. A Clemson error allowed Mahler to reach third, and the Tigers turned to Brooke McCubbin out of the bullpen.

Basinger finished with 5.2 innings pitched, allowing five runs on eight hits, with four walks and four strikeouts. McCubbin entered and walked Jade Berry to put runners at the corners, but came up huge by striking out Economides to end the threat.

Tigers Close It Out

Clemson held that 7-5 lead through the seventh, handing No. 15 Stanford its first home loss of the season. It was a statement win for No. 25 Clemson (29-10, 10-3 ACC) and a strong start to a significant ACC road series.

Basinger earned her 12th win of the year, now sitting at 12-4. McCubbin picked up her third save of the season. Stanford’s Prystajko took the loss, dropping to 8-3.

Until Tomorrow

Clemson and Stanford will be back at it again tomorrow for game two. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM EDT and can be seen on ACCNX. The Tigers have a chance to lock up another ACC series win and continue building momentum as the postseason draws closer.