ATHENS, Ga. - Graduate right-hander Abby Dunning went the distance in the circle for the fifth time this season and struck out six batters to push the Tigers to a 4-1 victory on Saturday evening against UNC Greensboro (43-19). With the win, Clemson advanced to its fifth NCAA Regional Championship game in program history and improved to 34-21 on the year.
The Tigers carried the momentum from the College of Charleston game into the second game of the day, taking a 1-0 advantage in the opening frame. As the designated away team for the rematch game against the Spartans, senior Jamison Brockenbrough led off with a double into left center. Freshman Mac Pavese brought her home with a double down the left field line for a 1-0 first inning.
Clemson doubled its lead in the third after Brockenbrough clocked her second double of the game to lead off the inning. She advanced on a sac bunt by Kiley Channell, who has a program-record 14 on the season, and was joined on the bases by Pavese, who walked. Pavese stole second, and the throw got away from UNCG’s shortstop to allow Brockenbrough to score.
Dunning made her third appearance at the Athens Regional and kept the Spartans off the board for the first four innings. UNCG recorded its first hit with a single up the middle and got another aboard off a hit by pitch. Dunning stepped up and recorded two strikeouts in the inning, but the Spartans capitalized with a shallow hit into center to cut Clemson’s lead down to 2-1.
The Spartans looked to score again in the sixth after a hit batter advanced around to third on a ground out and a single. With runners on the corners, Dunning forced the next batter to fly out to left to keep the Tigers’ one-run edge.
The Tigers plated two in the top of the seventh to extend their advantage. Sophomore Corri Hicks got aboard off an error and her pinch runner, Sarah Rocheleau, advanced to third after Taylor Pipkins found the gap in right center for a double. Brockenbrough brought home Rocheleau on a ground out, while Pipkins came home on a single up the middle by Channell.
Dunning continued to roll in the seventh with a strikeout and a pop up against the first two batters. UNCG got one batter aboard, but Dunning closed the door with another pop up for her ninth win of the year to push the Tigers to Sunday against host Georgia at noon.