March 14, 2017– Clemson Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich announces the addition of the softball program
Oct. 6, 2017– Softball stadium receives initial construction approval from the Clemson University Board of Trustees
Nov. 3, 2017– John Rittman selected as the program’s first head coach
Nov. 8, 2017– Logan Caymol becomes the first Clemson signee
Dec. 4, 2017– Kyle Jamieson joins softball staff as Associate Head Coach
July 10, 2018– Courtney Breault joins softball staff as Assistant Coach
July 24, 2018– Jeannie Murphy joins softball staff as Director of Operations
Feb. 2, 2019– Clemson Softball Stadium breaks ground
July 9, 2019– Topping Out Ceremony
July 9, 2019– ACC and Big Ten announce Clemson as one of six host sites for the 2020 Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Aug. 26, 2019– Held first round of individual practices
Sept. 17, 2019– Held first official team practice
Sept. 30, 2019– Held first team practice on the field of Clemson Softball Stadium
Oct. 2, 2019– First scrimmage against Erskine College at Southern Wesleyan University
Nov. 11, 2019- Clemson announces its inaugural spring schedule
Dec. 3, 2019– The team and coaching staff officially move into the facility full time
Jan. 24, 2020– Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Jan. 25, 2020– Inaugural Fan Day
Feb. 7, 2020– Clemson defeated St. John’s, 6-2, in its inaugural game, which was held at UCF’s Black & Gold Tournament in Orlando, Fla. Freshman RHP Logan Caymol threw out the program’s first-ever pitch and earned the win in the circle, while freshman infielder Hannah Goodwin recorded the program’s first home run, a three-run shot to opposite right to break a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning.
Feb. 9, 2020– After trailing 9-4 entering the top of the sixth, Clemson scored 15 straight runs in the final two innings, including 12 runs in the seventh, to defeat St. John’s again by a final score of 19-9 at UCF’s Black & Gold Tournament in Orlando, Fla.
Feb. 12, 2020– Clemson held its inaugural home opener in a doubleheader against Western Carolina. Senior infielder MK Bonamy recorded the first hit at Clemson Softball Stadium. The Tigers fell 0-2 in the first contest. Freshman RHP Logan Caymol threw a complete game no-hitter in the nightcap against the Catamounts as Clemson defeated WCU 8-0 in five innings.
Feb. 15, 2020– Clemson defeated Maryland 21-2 at Clemson Softball Stadium in the the Tigers’ second game of the 2020 Big 10/ACC Challenge. The game was highlighted by the Tigers scoring 14 runs in the second inning. Junior infielder Bailey Taylor and freshman RHP/UTL Valerie Cagle both hit grand slams in the bottom of the second to make Clemson, which was in its ninth contest as a program at the time, just the seventh program in NCAA Division-I history to record at least two grand slams in a single inning.
Feb. 18, 2020– Freshman RHP/UTL Valerie Cagle and freshman RHP Logan Caymol swept ACC Player and Pitcher of the Week awards, respectively. It was the only instance in which two freshmen won both awards in the same week.
Feb. 22, 2020– Freshman infielder Hannah Goodwin recorded a game-winning two-run home run to break a 5-5 tie against Stetson, which gave Clemson its first-ever win in extra innings.
Feb. 26, 2020– Clemson earned its first-ever ranked win in a 4-1 victory over then-No. 14 Geogia at Clemson Softball Stadium. After trailing 1-0 in the third, the Tigers capitalized on a four-run fourth inning. Clemson posted six-straight singles in the inning. Freshman RHP/UTL Valerie Cagle earned the win in the circle and recorded 20-of-21 outs in the infield.
March 1, 2020- Clemson won its first-ever ACC series after sweeping Virginia at Clemson Softball Stadium. Freshman RHP/UTL Valerie Cagle hit a walkoff home run in the bottom of the seventh to win the first game of the series on Feb. 28. The Tigers won the third and final game of the series, 12-3, in just six innings.
March 3, 2020- The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced Clemson received 10 votes in the fifth edition of the 2020 USA Today/NFA D1 Top 25 Coaches Poll, marking the first time the program received votes in the poll.
March 12, 2020- The NCAA announced the cancellation of all 2019-20 championships due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The ACC then suspended all regular-season games, but never rescheduled them, effectively ending Clemson’s inaugural season after the Tigers achieved a 19-8 overall record.
Feb. 5, 2021- Clemson University Board of Trustees announced the renaming of Clemson Softball Stadium to McWhorter Stadium after Stuart McWhorter ’91 and Leigh Anne Hendrix McWhorter, of Nashville, Tenn., pledged a Cornerstone Partner Gift of $2.5 million to IPTAY and Clemson Athletics.
Feb. 21, 2021- Clemson won its first true road series, also its first-ever ACC road series, in a 3-0 series sweep at Georgia Tech (Feb. 20-21).
March 1, 2021- Clemson received its first top-25 ranking at No. 25, according to D1Softball.com.
March 9, 2021- Clemson cracked the NFCA/USA Today coaches poll for the first time at No. 25.
March 27, 2021- Clemson earned its highest ranked win to date against then-No. 11 Duke live on ACC Network at McWhorter Stadium by a final score of 4-1. With the win, the Tigers snapped Duke’s then-20 game winning streak, the second-longest winning streak by any Division-I softball team at that point.
April 21, 2021- Clemson shutout in-state rival South Carolina, 6-0, in Columbia, S.C. in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Tigers and South Carolina were scheduled to meet for the first time in 2020, but the matchup was cancelled along with the remainder of the Tigers’ inaugural season due to COVID-19.
May 9, 2021- In its final game of the 2021 regular season, Clemson clinched the ACC regular-season title with a 19-2 win at Syracuse. The Tigers became the first team in league history to earn the regular-season title in any team’s first complete season, and the first Clemson program in school history to secure a regular-season conference championship in its first opportunity to do so. Alia Logoleo went 4-for-4 at the plate with three homers (grand slam, three-run and two-run homers) and a double, and tallied 10 RBI, the most by a Division I player in a regular-season contest in 2021. Logoleo’s 10 RBI also marked the most by any player against a Power-5 opponent since May 7, 2015.
May 11, 2021- Redshirt freshman Valerie Cagle was named the 2021 ACC Player and Freshman of the Year to become the first player in softball league history to garner ACC Player or Pitcher of the Year while also being crowned ACC Freshman of the Year. Head Coach John Rittman was also tabbed the league’s Coach of the Year.
May 15, 2021- Clemson made its first appearance in the ACC title game after securing a pair of 2-0 wins over Georgia Tech (May 13) and then-No. 20 Virginia Tech (May 14) in the ACC Championship quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, at Ulmer Stadium in Louisville, Ky. The Tigers fell 1-0 to then-No. 21 Duke in the championship final.
May 16, 2021- Clemson secured its first NCAA Regional berth after being selected to the Tuscaloosa Regional. In addition to the Tigers, Alabama, Troy and Alabama State were also named to the regional site in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
May 21, 2021- Clemson secured its first NCAA Regional win in an 8-0 victory over Troy, which lasted just five innings due to the NCAA’s eight-run rule. The Tigers homered four times, including two from starting pitcher Valerie Cagle, who tallied 10 strikeouts.
June 2, 2021- Redshirt freshman Valerie Cagle is named the first Tiger to become a NFCA Second Team All-American.
Feb. 7, 2022- Clemson receives its first preseason rankings being ranked in the top-15 by all major polls: USA Today/NFCA, ESPN.com/USA Softball, D1Softball.com and Softball America.
Feb. 20, 2022- Clemson upsets then-No. 6/5 Washington in Clearwater, Fla. at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational for the first top-10 win in program history. Valerie Cagle struck out 10 batters in the circle and hit a solo home run as the Tigers shutout the Huskies, 2-0.
Feb. 22, 2022- Clemson earns its first-ever single-digit ranking, clocking in at No. 9 on ESPN/USA Softball’s weekly poll.
Feb. 26, 2022- Sophomore McKenzie Clark hit Clemson’s first inside the park home run against Akron in the morning game of the Clemson Classic. Clark dropped a ball into right center and was able to round the bases to cross home two strides before the ball was thrown in to the catcher.
March 1, 2022- Clemson extended its home-winning streak to 21 games at McWhorter Stadium with a 6-0 victory against Gardner-Webb. The streak dated back to March 27, 2021 against Duke (4-1).
March 8, 2022- Seniors Marissa Guimbarda and Cammy Pereira were named two of the 30 Senior CLASS Award candidates. Clemson was one of two programs to have multiple athletes selected as candidates.
March 13, 2022- Clemson softball played its 100th game in program history. Clemson shutout Illinois behind a then-career high 11 strikeouts from sophomore Millie Thompson. Softball paced itself to tie the best start by any program at Clemson tying women’s tennis with a 78-22 record.
March 19, 2022- The then-No. 17/15 Clemson Tigers upset then-No. 13/8 Duke Blue Devils in run-rule fashion defeating Duke in five-innings with a 10-2 victory.
May 1, 2022- Clemson defeats Georgia Tech on Senior Day, 3-2, for the program’s 100th victory, accomplishing the feat in only 130 games. Softball is the second-fastest program at Clemson to reach the milestone, trailing only women’s tennis (128 games).
May 13, 2022- The Tigers earn their highest ranked victory to date by upsetting then-No. 2/2 Virginia Tech, 4-1, in the ACC Semifinal in Pittsburgh, Pa.
May 14, 2022- Clemson made its second appearance in the ACC title game in as many years after securing wins over Notre Dame (7-3 on May 12) and then-No. 2/2 Virginia Tech (4-1 on May 13) in the ACC Championship quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, at Vartabedian Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Tigers fel. 8-6 to then-No. 3/3 Florida State in the championship final.
May 15, 2022- Clemson softball and McWhorter Stadium are selected to host a NCAA Regional for the first time as the No. 10 National Seed hosting Louisiana, Auburn and UNCW in the Clemson Regional.
May 20, 2022- Sophomore Millie Thompson pitches a no-hitter to open the 2022 Clemson Regional in front of a record-setting 1,760 crowd at McWhorter Stadium. Thompson threw only 49 pitches in the 9-0 run-rule victory against UNCW.
May 22, 2022- Clemson secured its first NCAA Regional Championship after run-ruling Louisiana, 8-0, in the Clemson Regional Championship. The victory completed the regional sweep with wins after the Tigers also picked up wins over Auburn (1-0) and UNCW (9-0).
May 26, 2022- Clemson appeared in its first NCAA Super Regional playing the No. 7 National Seed Oklahoma State Cowgirls at the Stillwater Super Regional.
June 1, 2022- Redshirt sophomore Valerie Cagle is named softball’s first Tiger to become a NFCA First Team All-American, earning All-America honors in back-to-back seasons.
June 7, 2022- Graduate transfer Sam Russ is selected the the Third Team Academic All-America softball team by CoSIDA to become the first Clemson softball player to earn Academic All-America honors.
June 21, 2022- John Rittman and Clemson reach a new five-year contract agreement keeping him at Clemson through the 2027 season.
February 10, 2023– Clemson tallied a program-record 19 hits in the 11-2 victory against Georgia State in the second game of the 2023 season. 11 Tigers contributed to Clemson’s record with McKenzie Clark leading the way going 4-for-4 with a home run. Alia Logoleo followed by going 3-for-4, and Caroline Jacobsen hit two home runs.
February 17, 2023– The No. 7/6 Tigers welcomed a then-record setting 1,982 fans to McWhorter Stadium when Clemson run-ruled No. 14/11 Northwestern, 15-2, in five innings to open the 2023 home slate. The game was the seventh-straight game with double-digit hits after recording 15 during the game.
February 18, 2023– The Clemson Tigers tied a program-record with seven stolen bases against UIC. The Tigers had set the record the previous week by stealing seven against Ohio State. McKenzie Clark tied the individual program record against UIC by stealing three.
March 8, 2023– Valerie Cagle threw the program’s first perfect game. She retired all 15 batters she faced, including eight strikeouts, for a five-inning perfect game. The righty threw just 51 pitches with 40 strikes and never reached a three-ball count during the contest. Clemson won the game, 18-0. She became the eighth D1 player to throw a perfect game in 2023.
March 24, 2023– Valerie Cagle threw an immaculate inning tossing only nine pitches to strikeout all three batters in the second inning at Georgia Tech – one of the rarest feats to ever happen in baseball and softball as it has only happened 114 times in MLB history.
April 17, 2023– Caroline Jacobsen was drafted in the fifth round (20th overall pick) by the USSSA Pride during the Women’s Professional Fastpitch Draft.
May 10, 2023– For the second time of her career, Valerie Cagle was named the ACC Player of the Year. It was her fourth postseason ACC nod. She also finished the regular season as a six-time ACC Player/Pitcher of the Week (three at player, three at pitcher). Caroline Jacobsen, Alia Logoleo, Ally Miklesh and Millie Thompson joined her as All-ACC selections.
May 14, 2023– Clemson was selected as the No. 16 National Seed and hosted Auburn, Cal State Fullerton and UNC Greensboro in the Clemson Regional. This marked the second time in the program’s short history that Clemson was selected as a host, and the third-consecutive year (every year the program has been eligible) the Tigers have made a postseason appearance.
May 21, 2023– Clemson defeated Auburn to be crowned Regional Champions and advance for the second-consecutive year to a Super Regional.
May 30, 2023– Valerie Cagle was crowned the 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. She became the fourth ACC player to earn the award and gave the league its first selection since 2014. She is also the 14th Tiger to earn a National Player of the Year honor and the second woman from Clemson joining Brianna Rollins from track and field. She finished the season with numerous honors that can all be found using her bio here.
May 31, 2023– Valerie Cagle became a two-time NFCA First Team All-American, a unanimous selection, and the first Rawlings Gold Glove (pitcher) recipient for the program.
June 6, 2023– Caroline Jacobsen became the second Academic All-American in program history being crowned by College Sports Communicators (CSC).
June 22, 2023– Head Coach John Rittman and Valerie Cagle were selected to represent Clemson with the USA Softball Women’s National Team at the 2023 Japan All-Star Series
February 8, 2024– Opened the season with the 200th win in program history against Missouri State (12-0 in five) – held a 155-45 record through 200 games
March 10, 2024– Won the 100th game at McWhorter Stadium with a 12-0 win against Fordham – held a 100-18 (.847) at McWhorter through that game
May 8, 2024– Had the most athletes to date selected to the All-ACC team with six honorees (Maddie Moore – 1st, Alia Logoleo – 1st, Alex Brown – 2nd, McKenzie Clark – 2nd, Regan Spencer – 2nd, Valerie Cagle – 3rd and Millie Thompson – 3rd).
May 12, 2024– Clemson punched its fourth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance making a return to the Tuscaloosa Regional as the No. 2 seed
May 14, 2024– Valerie Cagle is drafted No. 1 during the 2024 Athletes Unlimited draft
May 19, 2024– Valerie Cagle, McKenzie Clark and Maddie Moore all garnered NFCA All-Region accolades to mark the most Tigers selected to an All-Region team to date.
May 29, 2024– Valerie Cagle (1st) and Maddie Moore (3rd) earned NFCA All-America honors to mark the most All-Americans in a single season in the program’s short infancy. This was Cagle’s fourth honor and Moore’s first.
