CLEMSON, S.C. – Two innings spelled the difference in the day for the Cavaliers as Virginia (18-9, 1-4 ACC) dropped both games of a doubleheader at No. 4 Clemson (28-1, 5-0 ACC) on Saturday (March 18).
Clemson won the first game 4-1 behind a three-run third inning before taking the second game 1-0 at McWhorter Stadium.
GAME 1 – No. 4 Clemson 4, Virginia 1
Clemson got on the board in the third with a two-out rally. Virginia looked to get out of the inning on a fielder’s choice to short, but upon review the out call at second was overturned to put a Tiger run on the board and leave two runners on. A double to right center drove in two more runs and the Cavaliers turned to the bullpen.
Virginia answered in the fourth with a sacrifice fly to right from Sarah Coon that scored Tori Gilbert. Gilbert reached on a double down the right field line to get the inning started.
Clemson got the run back in the fourth with bases-loaded fielder’s choice to shallow left to take the lead to 4-1. The lead would hold down the stretch.
Eden Bigham (5-3) suffered the loss as she allowed the three runs on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts in her 2.2 innings of work.
Millie Thompson (9-0) picked up the victory, allowing the one run on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
GAME 2 – No. 4 Clemson 1, Virginia 0
Clemson took advantage of a throwing error on a bunt to put runners at the corners with one out in the third. Maddie Moore then hit a sac fly to center to bring in the first run of the game.
The lead would hold as the Virginia would get a runner in scoring position in the sixth, but Clemson would get out of the inning to grab the 1-0 victory over the Cavaliers.
Molly Grube (7-5) took the loss as she worked a complete-game and allowed one unearned run on two hits with two walks.
Valerie Cagle (12-1) picked up the win as she allowed three hits and struck out five.
NOTES ON THE DAY
- Virginia’s pitchers combined to strike out Clemson 11 batters in the opening game of the day.
- Molly Grube worked her second complete-game of the season and fifth of her career in game two.
- Savanah Henley’s six strikeouts in game one tied her Virginia high set against South Carolina (2/11/22).
FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“I’m proud of us. We came out and competed hard, especially in that first game. There was a lot of energy and fan engagement and a great environment to play in. I thought we handled it well. Our pitchers did a great job, executed well…