CLEMSON, S.C. – The No. 15/9 Clemson softball team opened the 2022 home slate at McWhorter Stadium on Friday with two victories to extend the Tigers’ home winning streak to 18 games dating back to March 27, 2021.
The Tigers shutout both Boston University and St. Francis on the first day of the Clemson Classic to improve to 9-3 on the year.
Game 1 vs. Boston University
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
Redshirt sophomore Alia Logoleo hit a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to clinch the run-rule victory against Boston University in Clemson’s 2022 home opener in McWhorter Stadium.
Eight Clemson batters recorded a hit against BU, led by Cammy Pereira going 3-for-3 with a double and two singles. Aby Vieira was also perfect at the plate going 2-for-2 with two singles and an RBI, while Alia Logoleo was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
The Tigers got on the board in the second with Marissa Guimbarda leading off with her 51st career home run. Play continued with Logoleo hitting her first of two hits on the day with a single to the shortstop. Vieira brought Logoleo home with a single to push Clemson’s lead to 2-0.
Heading into the bottom of the fifth, Mckenzie Clark began the series of hot bats for the Tigers with a two-RBI single up the middle to bring home pinch runner Carlee Shannon from third and Sam Russ from first. Valerie Cagle continued the inning by bringing Clark, who stole second, home from scoring position. Pereira then came up with her third hit of the night up the middle to score Ansley Housten, record Clemson’s fourth run of the inning and set up Logoleo for the game-winning walk off.
In the circle, Valerie Cagle, 5-2, went the distance to earn her second solo shutout of the season.
Game 2 vs. St. Francis
Sophomore Regan Spencer pitched her first complete game of the year in the evening matchup against St. Francis. The Lexington, N.C. native, threw 84 pitches and struck out two batters while only walking one to keep the Red Flashes off the board for seven innings. She was supported by a strong Clemson defense that turned two double plays, one in the fourth inning and another in the seventh.
Graduate transfer Sam Russ went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored the game-winning run to lead Clemson. Guimbarda, Cagle and graduate Bailey Taylor also recorded a hit, while Carlee Shannon added a run.
Momentum swung in Clemson’s favor in the sixth inning against St. Francis which began with Russ hitting a single through the right side. She quickly stole second to be in scoring position when McKenzie Clark flew out to right field. Russ headed to third after tagging, rounded the base and went home after St. Francis’ shortstop made an error when fielding the throw in from the outfield.
With the bases clear and two outs , Cagle hit a single to the Red Flashes’ second baseman to keep the Tigers alive. Shannon came into pinch run, quickly stole second and was brought home by Guimbarda who dropped a double over the center fielder’s head to put a cap on Clemson’s 2-0 victory.
Up Next:
The Tigers will continue play at the Clemson Classic tomorrow against Akron at 12:30 p.m. With both wins today, Clemson has also clinched a spot in the championship game tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. Both games will be available to watch on ACCNX.
