CLEMSON, S.C. – The No. 24/RV Clemson Tigers defeated Winthrop (14-12), 7-3, on Tuesday night in McWhorter Stadium to improve to 17-7 on the year. Sophomore Corri Hicks hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first to spur the offense, while junior Sierra Maness earned her ninth victory of the year in the circle.
Hicks finished the night with four RBIs after she picked up a sac fly in the bottom of the sixth inning, while Julia Knowler finished with two. Freshman Mac Pavese and senior Jamison Brockenbrough tallied two hits each, while Pavese led the Tigers with two runs scored.
The Eagles struck first in the top of the first after Darrah Nickens reached on a Tiger error, scoring a runner from third. Entering the bottom of the inning, Jamison Brockenbrough singled with a bunt and advanced around to score after a ground out and fielder’s choice moved her to third before an RBI single from Julia Knowler plated the run. Corri Hicks pummeled a ball over the left center wall for her fifth home run of the year to give Clemson a 4-1 lead.
Winthrop closed the gap when the Eagles plated two runners in the bottom of the third. The Tigers reopened the spread in the fourth after Channell reached after being hit by a pitch. Pavese doubled to center field, placing runners on second and third. Collins grounded out, but picked up the RBI Channell scored. Knowler picked up her second RBI with a sac fly to center field, plating Pavese from third. The Tigers had a 6-3 edge at the end of the inning.
After holding the Eagles scoreless in the top of the sixth, Pavese led off the bottom of the inning with a single to left field. Collins doubled to right center, advancing Pavese to third, and pinch hitter Ava Wilson walked to load the bases. Hicks picked up her final RBI of the night with a sac fly to plate Pavese and extended Clemson’s lead to 7-3, which held for the remainder of the game.
Freshman Keira Crosby made her fifth start of the year and pitched two innings with one strikeout before freshman Lexie Hames entered. Hames struck out two batters in her 1.2 innings of work before Maness entered and pitched the final 3.1 innings with two strikeouts to earn the win.
Up Next
The Tigers conclude their home stand with a three-game series against Louisville March 13-15. Friday’s game is scheduled for 4 p.m. on ACCNX, and Saturday’s game will serve as Clemson’s Alumni Day at 1 p.m.
