CUTigers

OFFICIAL ACC SEMIFINAL THREAD: NO.10 CLEMSON vs. No.20 Virginia Tech

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:01:45

First pitch is at 1:00 on ACC Network, and I'll have live updates right here! The Hokies handed the Tigers their only series loss of the season back in February. Cagle won the first game 8-1, but the Hokies came back and won the doubleheader on the next day 9-0 and 4-1.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:15:45

I'm surprised Cagle is starting in the circle again today. I thought they would save her arm for the championship tomorrow against likely FSU. The Hokies are going with their ace, Rochard, for the second straight day, so I guess Rittman feels like he has to use his ace. Rochard gave up 4 hits and one earned run against Notre Dame yesterday. She has a 1.08 ERA and leads the nation in strike outs!

Ironically, Cagle and Rochard, two of the nation's top pitchers, had probably their worst games in that series back in February. Cagle was dominant in the first game, winning 8-1, but she gave up 6 runs in 2 innings the next day in the front end of the doubleheader. Rochard also allowed 6 runs in that first game of the series, but she won the rubber match 4-1.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:16:49

Cagle gives up an infield single and a walk on 4 pitches to start the game. You have to wonder if she'll have her best stuff after going 7 innings yesterday!

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:17:20

They get the force at 2nd. Corners with one out.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:17:38

Runner steals 2nd. Two RISP with one out.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:18:13

Cagle gets a huge K swinging on 3 pitches! 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:18:38

Grounder ends the inning!

SCORELESS M1.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:19:35

Clark strikes out swinging on full count.

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Gilstrap walks on full count.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:23:12

Cagle pops up and Guimbarda grounds out.

SCORELESS AFTER ONE.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:33:23

Cagle goes 1-2-3 with 2 K's!

SCORELESS M2.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:38:02

Logoleo draws a leadoff walk on full count and steals 2nd! RISP with no outs for Pereira, who had 2 homers yesterday.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:38:49

Pereira grounds out and moves the runner to 3rd. RISP with one out for Mattimore.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:39:14

MATTIMORE DELIVERS!!! Bunt single on the squeeze play puts Tigers up 1-0 with one out! Hokies were ready for it and it would have been a tight play at the plate, but the 3rd baseman mishandled the ball.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:46:19

Cheek pinch runs and is thrown out stealing 2nd. Two down.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:47:12

Bigham draws a full-count walk and steals 2nd! RISP with 2 outs for Hyatt.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:48:25

Hyatt draws another full-count walk! 2 on with 2 outs for leadoff hitter Clark.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 12:49:47

Ugh Clark strikes out swinging on 3 pitches. She's in a bit of a slump.

TIGERS LEAD 1-0 AFTER 2.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:01:40

Cagle goes 1-2-3 with a K!

TIGERS LEAD 1-0 M3.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:05:44

CAGLE ONE-OUT SOLO HR!!! Her 15th of the season puts the Tigers up 2-0! Her 11th HR this season as a starting pitcher!

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:16:11

Logoleo HBP with 2 outs and steals 2nd but Pereira grounds out.

TIGERS LEAD 2-0 AFTER 3.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:17:17

Cagle goes 1-2-3 with another K, her 5th of the game!

TIGERS LEAD 2-0 M4.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:27:05

Mattimore, Bigham and Hyatt go 1-2-3.

TIGERS LEAD 2-0 AFTER 4.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:32:18

Cagle gives up a leadoff single and gets a K swinging.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:37:34

Hyatt throws the runner out stealing 2nd, and the review confirms! 2 down.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:38:10

Grounder ends the inning! Tigers are 6 outs away from the championship.

TIGERS LEAD 2-0 M5.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:40:04

Clark and Gilstrap line out. 2 outs for Cagle, who homered last time.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:41:23

Cagle walked on 4 pitches. Lol I don't blame them! 2 outs for Guimbarda, who has been quiet so far in Louisville.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:43:00

Guimbarda singles! 2 on with 2 outs for Logoleo.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:44:22

Logoleo strikes out swinging on 3 pitches.

TIGERS LEAD 2-0 AFTER 5.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:48:19

Uh-oh Cagle walks the leadoff batter on 4 pitches.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:50:12

Cagle gets a K swinging! One on with one out.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:52:35

Grounder moves the runner to 2nd. Two down!

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:54:28

Grounder ends the inning! Tigers are 3 outs away.

TIGERS LEAD 2-0 M6.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:57:49

Pereira and Mattimore line out. 2 down for Bigham.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:58:31

Bigham singles. 2 outs for Hyatt with leadoff hitter Clark on deck.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 13:59:23

Hyatt lines out. If Hokies should tie or take the lead, Tigers will have the top of the lineup in the 7th.

TIGERS LEAD 2-0 HEADED TO THE 7TH.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 14:04:22

Cagle gives up a leadoff single. 2nd straight inning with a leadoff runner.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 14:04:46

DOUBLE PLAY!! Tigers are one out away.....

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 14:08:19

Ugh throwing error by Gilstrap at short keeps Hokies alive. One on with 2 outs.

CUTrevor 2021-05-14 15:04:51

Grounder ends the game! Tigers advance to the ACC Championship in their first full season!

TIGERS WIN 2-0!!!

National Player of the Year Finalist Valerie Cagle threw her 2nd complete-game shutout in as many days and will likely start in the circle for a 3rd straight day tomorrow. I asked Rittman about it after the game, and it sounds like he intends to start Cagle. She has pitched 3 days in a row several times this season but only started 3 straight days once, about 6 weeks ago against UNC. Cagle also hit her 15th HR and 11th this season as a starting pitcher!

The Tigers will play the winner of today's game between No.7 FSU and No.21 Duke tomorrow at noon on ACCN. They split with Duke 2-2 this season and have never played FSU, which is Defending ACC Champ and 2018 National Champ. I'll have post-game interviews posted shortly!