Senior Day Setback: Clemson Falls in Home Finale to Boston College

Senior, Brooke McCubbin (2) (Photo By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

Happy Senior Day for Clemson Softball. The Tigers hosted Boston College for their final game of the weekend. No. 19 Clemson had already clinched the series, taking down the Eagles 6-2 on Thursday and 8-4 on Friday. In the center circle, Reese Basinger got the start for Clemson against Kelly Colleran for Boston College. The sun came out for a beautiful finish to this ACC matchup.

It took until the top of the third inning for the first runner for either team to reach base, as Basinger allowed a leadoff walk. The runner would quickly be retired in a double play the next at-bat. Clemson got on the board first with an RBI single from Alex Brown, scoring Taylor Pipkins.

Boston College responded big in the next half inning. With the top of the lineup back up, Gator Robinson and Hannah Slike had back-to-back hits to get on base. Slike’s single was her 200th career hit. Cleanup hitter Jordan Stephens stepped up and nailed one out of left field. The Eagles went on top 3-1.

Brooke McCubbin entered the game for Basinger to begin the fifth. Basinger allowed 3 hits and 1 walk. The senior right-hander fielded a ground ball and got a backwards K for two quick outs. Then a runner would reach off an errant throw from Brown. Emma Jackson hit a double off the center field wall, allowing the runner to score. Jackson would be out at third to end the inning.

Clemson's bats struggled against Colleran. Freshman Marian Collins opened things up with a double through the gap in right field. Sam Minish was walked to place runners on the corners. Jamison Brockenbrough would collect the RBI. Maddie Moore came up to the plate with two outs. She was able to battle into a full count and foul off multiple pitches before Colleran ultimately sent her down swinging.

After a freak play with a hard-hit ball bouncing off McCubbin’s leg, Macey Cintron made her third appearance of the series. A sacrifice fly resulted in the Eagles scoring for the third consecutive inning. Cintron would pick up a strikeout for the final out of the seventh. Clemson could not find an answer.

The final regular-season home game for Clemson would be a 5-2 loss. Colleran had her way with Clemson’s lineup. She pitched a complete game with three hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. This score drops the Tigers to 37-12 (16-5 ACC) and improves the Eagles to 20-23 (5-13). Clemson will hit the road for a ranked mid-week matchup next, taking on No. 2 Tennessee. Catch a clash of orange on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on ESPNU.