Baseball
NO.10 CLEMSON BEATS NO.17 AUBURN 1-0, ADVANCES TO NCAA REGIONAL FINAL
- 2022-05-22 12:42:55
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CLEMSON, SC - Unlike their 9-0 run-rule win in 5 innings on Friday, the Tigers found themselves in a pitchers' duel with No.17 Auburn on Saturday with a massive regional advantage at stake. Cagle allowed just 4 hits with no walks in the complete-game shutout, although she had to survive a scare in the 6th. Auburn loaded the bases with one out after a couple singles and an error, but McKenzie Clark's rifle arm in center prevented Auburn from tagging to tie the game on the 2nd out. Freshman catcher Aby Vieira also kept the tying run from scoring on a wild pitch by Cagle. Vieira made a great play to catch the high, rising fast ball well out of the strike zone. She hasn't always stopped those wild pitches by Cagle this season with runners on 3rd, and it has cost the Tigers the game on multiple occasions this season. That catch might have saved the game! A 2-out grounder stranded the bases loaded, and the Tigers survived the 6th.
Cagle was not only the hero in the circle but at the plate as well. She scored the game's only run with a 2-out double in the 4th. Cagle had been in a rare slump before that, going 0 for her last 11, but she delivered the clutch hit when the Tigers needed it! Guimbarda drove Cagle in with a dying-quail fly to shallow left that was nearly caught by Auburn but found its way to the turf for a double. It was one of just 3 hits for the Tigers, but it was enough for the win!
Auburn would get the tying run to 2nd with 2 outs in the 7th, but Cagle got a strike out to end the game.
The Tigers are holding all the cards now, with both the home field advantage and the cat-bird's seat. They will advance to their first-ever Super Regional with a win tomorrow, and they'll have two games to do it.
Post-game interviews are below!
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