CLEMSON, S.C. – The No. 4/4 Clemson Tigers swept their first ACC series of the 2023 season after defeating Syracuse, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon in McWhorter Stadium. With the victory, Clemson improves to 20-1 (3-0 ACC) on the year and extends its home-winning streak to 18 games dating back to April 16, 2022, against Notre Dame, as the Orange falls to 6-9 (0-3 ACC).
It was a low hitting game for both sides, as Clemson ranked up only four hits on the day. Valerie Cagle, Caroline Jacobsen, Arielle Oda and Ally Miklesh were the lone Tigers to clock a hit, and Reedy Davenport tallied the only RBI.
Both teams’ starting pitchers battled through the first four innings of play as neither team gave up more than a single hit. Syracuse’s hit came in the top of the first, and the Tigers tallied theirs in the bottom of the fourth. The Orange made a push to end the stalemate in the top of the fifth after getting a leadoff hit and a walk, but Clemson’s defense shut things down to force Syracuse to leave two stranded.
The Tigers got on the board first in the bottom of the fifth inning after Arielle Oda singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by the shortstop. She advanced to third as Ally Miklesh bunted a single to put runners on the corners. Reedy Davenport brought Oda home to give Clemson the 1-0 lead.
Neither side was able to strike in the final two innings, and Clemson ended the game with a double play to give the Tigers their eighth shutout of the season.
Sophomore Brooke McCubbin got her third start of the season and pitched four innings with three strikeouts, no walks and only one hit allowed before being replaced by junior Regan Spencer. Spencer pitched a single inning and tallied one strikeout to earn the victory, her third of the season. Valerie Cagle pitched the final two frames and struck out one batter to earn her second save of 2023.
Up Next
The Tigers are back in action on Wednesday, March 8 continuing their home stretch by hosting Mercer at McWhorter Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ACCNX.
