MIAMI, Fla. – Redshirt junior JoJo Hyatt had herself a day at the plate to propel Clemson (4-0) to two victories on Saturday at Felsberg Field at the FIU Softball Stadium against Kansas City and Georgia State. In both games, the Tigers finished with double-digit hits, led by Hyatt finishing the day going 6-for-7 with eight RBI and one run scored.
Game 1 – vs. Kansas City (W, 8-1)
In the opening game of the day, Clemson tallied its third-straight double-digit hits game clocking 12 hits from eight Tigers. Catcher JoJo Hyatt led the charge going 3-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored. Graduates Ally Miklesh and Reedy Davenport followed, going 2-for-3 at the plate.
Kansas City struck first in the top half of the first after the leadoff batter was walked and made it home off a sac bunt and a single. Clemson answered in the bottom of the second with Miklesh laying down a two-out bunt and making it to first before the throw could be made. She advanced to second on a wild pitch to allow Hyatt to bring her home with a single into right field to even things at one-all.
The bats exploded in the bottom of the fourth for the Tigers as Miklesh doubled down the left-field line to open the inning. Hyatt singled to put runners on the corners, and Davenport brought home Miklesh with a single back to the pitcher. McKenzie Clark loaded the bases with a walk, and Hyatt came home on a wild pitch to make it 3-1 in favor of the Tigers. Still with no outs, sophomore Maddie Moore drove a three-run homer out of left center for her first home run of the season to make it 6-1 after four.
The Tigers made lineup changes in the bottom half of the sixth inning that allowed freshman Marena Knowles to enter and record her first collegiate hit with a single to right field. Kyah Keller and Ansley Houston also entered the game and drew walks to load the bases for Morgan Johnson to hit a two-RBI single to right field giving Clemson the 8-1 victory.
Sophomore Brooke McCubbin pitched five innings with two strikeouts en route to her first victory of the season. She was replaced by Regan Spencer in the final two innings.
Game 2 – vs. Georgia State (W, 11-3 {6})
Much like the first game of the day, Georgia State took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of play after the leadoff batter got on off a single and advanced around before the third out. Hyatt once again got the Tiger offense going in the bottom of the second. She hit a single through the right side that scored both Keller and Miklesh who got on base off walks to give Clemson the 2-1 advantage.
Clemson went to work in the third inning that began with a strong defensive play from Hyatt behind the plate. That translated into the offense as Valerie Cagle led off with a double and Caroline Jacobsen singled up the middle. With two outs, Miklesh drew a walk to load the bases and bring Hyatt back to the plate. Hyatt drove a hard hit ball at the Panthers’ third baseman for a two-RBI single bringing home Houston, who pinch ran for Cagle, and Jacobsen. Knowles pinch hit for Davenport in the nine spot and knocked a hit into left field to score Miklesh and make it 5-1 after three.
The fourth inning was another efficient inning for the Tigers as Cagle singled and Jacobsen doubled to put runners on second and third. Logoleo reached on an error that brought Cagle home, and then quickly stole second to have two back in scoring position. Keller pushed the score to 8-1 with a sac fly to deep center that scored both Jacobsen and Logoleo.
The Panthers cut into the lead in the top of the sixth with two additional runs, but the Tigers responded with Jadeyn Ruszkowski getting a pinch hit single, Keller drawing a walk and Miklesh singling up the middle to load the bases. Hyatt completed her day hitting a three-RBI double down the left line to walk off Georgia State, 11-3, in the bottom half of the inning.
Millie Thompson got the start in the circle and pitched the full six innings with four strikeouts en route to her second win of the year.
Up Next
The Tigers conclude opening weekend action on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 12:30 p.m. against host Florida International.
