GAMEDAY CENTRAL: Softball Hosts Tiger Invitational

February 26, 2026

No. 25/RV Clemson (11-5) Hosts Tiger Invitational

GAME SETUPS

PREVIEW

The No. 25/RV Clemson Softball program returns to McWhorter Stadium for the Tiger Invitational and brings a five-game winning streak into the weekend
Clemson welcomes Wofford, Georgia Southern and Mississippi State to McWhorter Stadium for the first time in program history
The only team the Tigers have faced before this weekend is Mississippi State, and the Bulldogs lead the series 1-0
Due to additional athletic events on Saturday, Clemson’s scheduled game against Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon will be a one-camera broadcast with announcers

QUICK HITS

Clemson takes an 11-5 record into the weekend tournament and has outscored opponents 92-56, including 37-1 in the last five games
The Tigers have totaled 121 hits on the year with sophomore Marian Collins (.429 – 21 hits) and freshman Mac Pavese (.400 – 20 hits) leading the way
Collins also leads Clemson with 15 RBIs, while senior Jamison Brockenbrough (14), Pavese (13) and Corri Hicks (10) follow close behind
Clemson takes a 138 game hit streak into the Tiger Invitational that began during the UNCG matchup at regionals on May 19, 2023. The 138 mark is a program record and surpassed the previous mark set from the inaugural game to April 15, 2022
On the season, Clemson has three top 25 victories (Oregon, Liberty and Georgia)

RITTMAN RECORDS

Clemson Softball Head Coach John Rittman is closing in on the elusive 1,000 win milestone
Coach Rittman, who spent 18 seasons at the helm of the Stanford program and is in his seventh season at Clemson sits at 998 career victories
Rittman reached 750 with the Cardinal and maintained a .681 winning percentage during his tenure
Needing only two wins, Rittman is the closest active coach to reaching the benchmark according to NCAA Stats and holds the 11th-most wins amongst active softball coaches (see full list in game notes)
Amongst active Clemson head coaches, Rittman has the second-most wins at the helm of a Tiger program, trailing only men’s basketball Brad Brownell (see full list in game notes)
In only six years, Rittman has led the Tigers to five postseason appearances – one in each year eligible after COVID shut down the 2020 season – that has included hosting three regionals and advancing to three super regionals
The Tigers also have an ACC Regular Season Title (2021) and ACC Championship (2025) under their belt
Individually, Rittman has produced two ACC Player of the Years, two ACC Freshman of the Years and one ACC Pitcher of the Year alongside 30 All-ACC selections