PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Behind an eight-strikeout performance from Valerie Cagle and home runs from McKenzie Clark and Alia Logoleo, the No. 18/17 Clemson softball team run-ruled Pittsburgh in five innings. Following the 8-0 win, the Tigers improve to 28-10 (7-6 ACC), while the Panthers drop to 13-17 (1-10 ACC). Today’s win is also Clemson’s 16th shutout and 11th run-rule victory this year.
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
The Clemson bats came alive in the second inning with Marissa Guimbarda hitting a hard bouncer to Pitt’s shortstop for a base hit. Alia Logoleo followed with a walk to put two on for Bailey Taylor to find a wide-open gap in left center to bring home both Guimbarda and Logoleo with a double. Freshman Maddie Moore found the exact same spot that Taylor did for a double of her own, scoring Taylor. Cammy Pereira finished the inning hitting an RBI single down the left-field line to score Moore. Clemson held a 4-0 lead after two.
The Tigers continued to add a run in both the third and fourth innings with Sam Russ singling down the right field line to bring home Valerie Cagle in the third, and McKenzie Clark hitting a solo home run out of right field in the fourth. This was Clark’s sixth of the season.
Logoleo hit a two-run homer out of left center in the top of the fifth inning for her ninth home run of the season. She brought home Russ, who had gotten on off a fielder’s choice and then stole her 20th base of the season and 123rd of her career. With the two-run bomb, Clemson put the final touch on the 8-0 run-rule victory over Pitt.
Cagle threw her 11th-complete game and fifth solo shutout on her way to her 12th win. She faced 19 batters and didn’t give up a walk in the five-inning effort.
Up NextClemson returns to Vartabedian Field tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. for the second game of the series vs. the Panthers.
Clemson News
Clemson Women’s Golf Looks to Defend ACC Championship Crown in Wilmington
Clemson Women’s Golf Looks to Defend ACC Championship Crown in Wilmington Clemson, S.C. – The Clemson women’s golf team opens their 2024 ACC Championship campaign