No. 21 Clemson Softball Heads to Raleigh for ACC Showdown

Brooke McCubbin delivers from the circle during a game against NC State in 2024. (Photo By Charles Mays)

Tigers Hit the Road

No. 21 Clemson softball is back on the road, and this time, they’re heading to Raleigh to take on NC State in a three-game weekend series. The Tigers, sitting at 31-11 overall and 11-4 in the ACC, have been rolling through the season with a powerful offense and solid pitching. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack (21-19, 4-11 ACC) are looking to make a statement and defend their home turf at Dail Softball Stadium.

The series kicks off under the Friday night lights at 8 p.m. on ACC Network, followed by a Saturday showdown at 5 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 1 p.m., both streaming on ACCNX.

Clemson’s Offense and Pitching Power

Clemson’s bats have been on fire all season, having a .340 team batting average and a .572 slugging percentage. The Tigers have outscored opponents 299-134, with key hitters like Alex Brown (56 hits), Maddie Moore (55 hits), and Julia Knowler (48 hits) leading the charge. Not to be overlooked, the freshman class has made its presence known, contributing 121 hits so far this year with key contributors like Marian Collins, Macey Cintron, Ava Wilson, Sam Minish, and others. On the mound, Clemson’s pitching staff has kept opposing lineups in check with a 2.81 ERA and 199 strikeouts with the trio of Reese Basinger, Macey Cintron, and Brooke McCubbin leading the way in the circle.

Familiar Faces on the Other Side

There will be some familiar faces in the opposing dugout this weekend. Former Clemson pitcher Regan Spencer, now a graduate assistant for NC State, will be game-planning against her former team. On the field, Wolfpack infielder Hannah Goodwin started her college career in orange and purple before transferring to Raleigh.

Can NC State Pull the Upset?

NC State is hoping to turn the tide against Clemson, as the Tigers hold an 8-2 all-time series lead. The last time the Wolfpack took down Clemson was in 2023, when they won the series finale, 7-5, in Raleigh. They followed that up by stealing the series opener in 2024 with a 6-1 victory in Clemson. The Wolfpack would love to capture their first-ever series win over Clemson on their home turf but that will be a tough task with this hot Clemson team.

NC State’s Key Players

If NC State is going to pull off an upset, they’ll need big performances from some of their top players. Michele Tarpey has been a consistent force at the plate, leading the team with a .400 batting average, four home runs, and 13 RBIs. Meanwhile, Hannah Church provides the power, pacing the Wolfpack with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs while batting .333. On the mound, Carly Maxton has been NC State’s workhorse, throwing 95.1 innings with a 9-5 record, a 2.86 ERA, and 75 strikeouts. If she can keep Clemson’s offense in check, the Pack could make things interesting.

A Historic Milestone for Coach Rittman

This weekend also marks a special milestone for Clemson Head Coach John Rittman, who will coach his 1,400th career game on Friday. With a career record of 970-426-3 and a Clemson mark of 220-75, Rittman has been instrumental in building the Tigers into an ACC powerhouse.

What’s at Stake

For NC State, a win on Friday would mark their second-ever victory over Clemson in the Lindsay Leftwich Era and could set the tone for an upset bid. For Clemson, it’s another opportunity to solidify their place among the top teams in the ACC and keep their momentum rolling toward the postseason.

First pitch is set for Friday at 8 p.m. on ACC Network. Expect a competitive, high-energy series as these two teams battle it out in Raleigh.