GAME SETUP
- Who: Clemson (44-7, 29-5 ACC) vs. Alabama (47-7, 18-6 SEC)
- NFCA/ESPN Ranking: CU – 13/10; Alabama – 3/3
- When: Saturday, May 23, 2021 • 2 p.m. ET
- Where: Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Rhoads Stadium)
- Watch: ESPN2
- Video Announcers: Eric Frede (pbp) & Madison Shipman (color)
- Listen (Radio): WCCP105.5 FM
- Listen (Internet): ClemsonTigers.com (below)
- Radio Announcers: William Qualkinbush (pbp) & Scott Whitlock (color)
- Live Stats: ClemsonTigers.com
- Social Media: ClemsonSoftball
SERIES HISTORY
- Overall Record: 0-1 (2021)
CLEMSON OVERVIEW
- Clemson enters its first NCAA Regional appearance in the program’s first opportunity to do so.
- After winning the 2021 ACC regular-season championship ,the Tigers are coming off their first ACC Championship (tournament) appearance, having defeated Georgia Tech and then-No. 20 Virginia Tech to advance to the title game before falling to then-No. 21 Duke .
- Entering the weekend, the Tigers are averaging 5.58 runs per game, good for first in the ACC, while boasting a team ERA of 1.48, which also leads the ACC and is sixth best in the nation.
CLEMSON-ALABAMA CONNECTIONS
- This year’s Clemson Softball roster boasts two Alabama natives, #9 Sarah Howell (Oxford) and #58 Kyah Keller (Hollywood).
- Clemson’s appearance in the 2021 Tuscaloosa Regional marks the first time Clemson Softball has competed in the state of Alabama.
- Clemson infielder Bailey Taylor, the Tigers’ 2020 starting third baseman, transferred to Clemson in the Fall of 2019 after a two-year stint at Troy, where she earned 57 career starts. In the spring of 2019, Taylor hit a career-best .310 with 11 doubles and seven home runs.
THE NATIONALLY-RANKED TIGERS
- Clemson enters this weekend’s series ranked No. 10 in the ESPN/USA Softball poll, which ties its highest ranking to date, and No. 13 the USA Today/NFCA coaches poll.
- As a program, Clemson debuted at No. 25 in the USA Today/NFCA coaches poll on March 9, 2021, and at No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Softball poll on March 16, 2021.
- Clemson received its first top-25 ranking on March 1, 2021 at No. 25, according to D1Softball.com.