Tigers Win 5-0 Over Erskine In First-Ever Scrimmage

Photos by Melina Alberti, Clemson Athletic Communications

WHAT A WIN (5-0), WHAT A NIGHT, WHAT A REMARKABLE BEGINNING TO SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL!

Thank you #ClemsonFamily🧡💜 for coming out to support us tonight!#ClemsonSB🥎 pic.twitter.com/M6csb6PDDK

— Clemson Softball 🥎 (@clemsonsoftball) October 3, 2019

CENTRAL, S.C. – The Clemson Softball team grasped another monumental moment in program history Wednesday evening as the Tigers defeated Erskine College 5-0 in their first-ever scrimmage, which took place at Southern Wesleyan University’s Varsity Field. Clemson freshman Emma Whitfield secured the win in the circle for the Tigers as she recorded five strikeouts in five innings pitched.

“We’ve only been together since August, but we’ve come together as a team really nicely,” said Clemson Head Coach John Rittman after the game. “I like our attitude, I like our work ethic, and I really love our competitiveness. If we continue to grow, there’s going to be a lot of good things for this program.”

History in the making. The first pitch in Clemson softball history has been thrown!#NCAASoftball
(via @clemsonsoftball)pic.twitter.com/pmlMLMNMlT

— NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) October 2, 2019

Erskine, the designated visiting team, threatened to score early, as the Flying Fleet loaded the bases in the top of the first, but Whitfield recorded her first strikeout of the game, leaving all three Erskine runners stranded. The Tiger offense came alive in the second as Hannah Goodwin (two RBI) and Cammy Pereira (RBI) registered hits to give Clemson the lead. In the sixth, it was Ansley Gilstrap’s single that scored the final two runs of the game.

“Our team was excited to be out here competing against someone other than themselves…We had a lot of fans turn out and support us – very appreciative of that. [We] look forward to continuing our work to get better this fall.”

Up next, the Tigers head to North Greenville University on Saturday, Oct. 5 (noon) for their second of six scheduled scrimmages this fall.

For complete coverage of the Tiger softball team, follow @ClemsonSoftball on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook.

Thank you Clemson Softball for including us in your inaugural softball game this fall! And Thank You SWU for hosting us ! It was beyond a great night ! @clemsonsoftball @SWUSoftball pic.twitter.com/wfvGFlMEdA

— Erskine Softball (@ErskineSoftball) October 3, 2019