CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Softball Head Coach John Rittman reached 1,000 career victories on Saturday after the Tigers (13-6) upset No. 12/19 Mississippi State (17-2), 3-0, inside McWhorter Stadium. The win marked 1,000 in his illustrious career and marked the 250th at the helm of the Clemson program.
Rittman became the 11th active NCAA Division I head softball coach to reach the 1,000-win milestone, and he holds the second-most victories amongst active head coaches at the helm of a Clemson program, trailing only Brad Brownell, who has 313 with men’s basketball. On top of Coach Rittman’s milestone and the program’s accomplishment, Saturday’s win brought the Tigers to 140 wins at McWhorter Stadium and was the fourth ranked victory of the 2026 season.
After a quiet top of the first inning, Mac Pavese doubled to bring Jamison Brockenbrough, who walked, home and give the Tigers the first run of the game. The inning continued as Pavese advanced to third off of a wild pitch before scoring on a sac fly by Julia Knowler to increase the Tigers’ lead to 2-0.
Clemson struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Macey Cintron singled down the third base line, and Kylee Johnson entered as pinch runner. Following a near identical hit location as Cintron, freshman Sarah Breaux doubled, scoring Johnson from first. The Tiger defense continued to hold the Bulldogs scoreless, highlighted by a double play in the top of the sixth with one on and one out, as shortstop Kiley Channell tag teamed with first baseman Pavese to end the inning. The Tigers were able to fend off the Bulldogs’ final attempt to score in the top of the seventh, which cemented the 3-0 upset win.
Junior Sierra Maness pitched her fourth complete game of the season and improved 6-3 with the win after she struck out three Bulldog hitters.
Up Next
The Tigers are back in action on Sunday, March 1 at 12:30 p.m. when they host Mississippi State in the Tiger Invitational finale. Fans can catch the action live on ACCNX and can purchase tickets ahead of the game by clicking here or by stopping by the ticket table outside the main gate.
