CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Clemson outfielder Morgan Johnson hit her second career home run on a three-run shot to centerfield with two outs in the top of the sixth to propel the Tigers to victory in game No. 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader at Palmer Park. Clemson earned its ninth straight win in a 4-2 fashion to clinch the four-game series over the Cavaliers and earn its ninth straight victory in the process.
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With the win, the Tigers improved to 12-2 overall and 7-2 in ACC play, while Virginia fell to 6-8 and 2-6 in league games.
Freshman righty Regan Spencer (4-0) earned the win in the circle after pitching 5.0 innings. Second-year freshman Valerie Cagle earned her second consecutive save – and third of the season – after entering Saturday’s second contest in the bottom of the sixth. Virginia’s Molly Grube (0-1) suffered the loss.
Spencer held the Cavaliers scoreless for 3.1 innings before they took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Virginia added to its lead in the fifth on a RBI single to centerfield.
After Johnson’s three-run shot flipped the score in Clemson’s favor, the Tigers extended their lead to 4-2 after an error by the Virginia first baseman allowed Casey Bigham to score from second.
Both Johnson and Clemson first baseman Kyah Keller went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Clemson is now 6-0 in the all-time series against the Cavaliers, having played three games in Clemson, South Carolina in 2020.
Up next, the Tigers and Virginia return to Palmer Park on Sunday to wrap up the four-game series. Sunday’s series finale is set for noon on ACCNX.
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