No.18 Clemson Softball wins UNC doubleheader 18-2 combined, will go for sweep Sat!

CUTrevor 2021-04-02 16:26:54


CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson true freshman lefty Millie Thompson (4-1) registered a career-high 10 strikeouts in her second complete game to lead the Tigers to a 6-1 victory over North Carolina at McWhorter Stadium in game No. 1 of Friday’s doubleheader. Thompson had a no-hitter through 5.2 innings and did not allow a single walk or earned run in Friday’s win.


The Tigers improved to 24-4 on the season and 15-4 in ACC play, while UNC dropped to 10-10 overall and 6-5 in league games.


North Carolina’s Brittany Pickett (8-6) suffered her second loss of the series after surrendering three runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings of work.


The Tigers, who were 12-0 when scoring in the first inning this season entering Friday’s doubleheader, dialed up a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. With a full count, Valerie Cagle registered RBI No. 22 of the season on a single up the middle with a runner on second. Two batters later, Ansley Gilstrap (2-for-2, 1 RBI) ripped her fourth double and 12th RBI of the season to knock home Cagle and give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.


After three consecutive scoreless innings, the Tigers extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth. McKenzie Clark (3-for-4) registered her sixth double of the season before Grace Mattimore (2-for-3, 1 RBI) connected on her third double the very next play to score Clark.


The Tar Heels registered their first and only run of the game on a Clemson fielding error, which gave the UNC base runner enough time to round third and score.


With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Abi Stuart came off the bench to pinch hit and launched a three-run shot to deep left field, her fourth home run of the season, which gave the Tigers their 6-1 lead.


Up next, Clemson and the Tar Heels return to McWhorter Stadium for game No. 2 of Friday’s doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled now for 3:37 p.m. and is slated to stream on ACCNX.


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




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CUTrevor 2021-04-02 17:02:11


CLEMSON, S.C. — The Clemson Softball team combined for 10 runs in the bottom of the third and fourth innings in game No. 2 of Friday’s doubleheader as the Tigers went on to defeat North Carolina, 12-1, to clinch the series at McWhorter Stadium. Clemson’s 12 runs scored are the most by the Tigers in any game this season. Clemson redshirt-freshman infielder Kyah Keller had the best outing of her career after finishing the game 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of home runs and four RBIs.


Clemson’s Valerie Cagle (15-3) earned the win in the circle for the Tigers after pitching 4.0 innings during which she collected eight strikeouts.


Grace Mattimore’s first home run as a Tiger put Clemson on the board in the bottom of the first inning. The next inning, Keller, who started game No. 2 at first base for the Tigers, connected on her first career home run to give Clemson a 2-0 lead.


The Tigers piled on six runs in the bottom of the third, an offensive spree that was highlighted by Cammy Pereira’s 3-RBI triple, which gave Clemson a 7-0 lead.


After Clemson added one more run in the bottom of the third, North Carolina posted its only run of the game on an RBI-single to left field. However, the Tigers weren’t done yet as Clemson added four more runs in the bottom half of the inning. Ansley Gilstrap, who finished the game 2-for-2, registered an RBI-single to give Clemson a 9-1 lead. Two batters later, Keller crushed her second homer of the day on a three-run shot to centerfield.


Regan Spencer entered in relief of Cagle in the top of the fifth and retired all three batters faced.


North Carolina’s Katie Grace Olinger (0-2) suffered the loss after 2.0 innings pitched.


Up next, Clemson and the Tar Heels return to McWhorter Stadium for the four-game series finale on Saturday at noon. Saturday’s contest is slated to stream on ACCNX.


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




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