Will Vandervort / All Clemson
Clemson Softball Wins First Regional Title
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson Softball is headed to a Super Regional.
The Tigers punched their tickets to their first NCAA Softball Super Regional with an 8-0 victory over Louisiana Sunday in the Championship Round of the Clemson Regional at McWhorter Stadium.
Clemson went 3-0 in the regional.
Clemson (42-15) exploded for seven runs in the top of the fourth inning, which eventually invoked the eight-run mercy rule. The Tigers were led by graduate Cammy Pereira’s 3-for-3 day at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs. Valerie Cagle had four RBIs, including a three-run home run in the decisive fourth inning.
“If I could have drawn up how I would end my career at McWhorter Stadium this would definitely be the way I would want to do it,” Pereira said. “Just being able to celebrate and have fun with our team and to be able to perform and not do too much is what I am really trying to do in my at-bats.
“I just try to be consistent and let Val come up and do the big stuff.”
Millie Thompson earned her second win of the regional with another stellar pitching performance. She followed her no-hit performance on Friday by allowing just one hit in a complete-game shutout against Louisiana.
Key Play: With the Tigers already up 5-0 with two outs in the top of the fourth inning and two runners on, Cagle launched a three-run shot over the wall in right field to put the mercy rule in play. Cagle’s home run was the second of the inning for the Tigers, who also got a solo home run with one out from Aby Vieira. Clemson scored seven runs in the fourth inning.
Player of the Game: Prior to her double in Game 3 of the Clemson Regional, Cagle was in a little bit of a slump. She was hitless in her pervious 11 at-bats, dating back to the ACC Tournament. But that all changed following her double against Auburn.
Cagle followed up the Auburn double with a run-scoring double in the first inning against Louisiana and then her fourth inning home run to right field.
“After our game on Friday, I went and worked with Coach Courtney (Breault) in the baseball cages,” she said. “I just tried to work things out. I definitely think that helped kinda make me see the ball a little better and get my timing back.”
Coach’s decision: Louisiana head coach Gerry Glasco decided to start Meghan Schorman in Game 6, just 14 hours after she pitched a complete game in a win over Auburn in an elimination game and three innings during the Ragin’ Cajuns 11-inning win over UNC Wilmington a few hours before. In all, she pitched 16 innings in Louisiana’s three games to that point.
She also pitched six innings in a loss to Auburn on Friday. She finally wore down in the fourth inning as she gave up three hits and a walk as Clemson blew the game open. In all, Schorman gave up five runs off six hits. She walked one and had four strikeouts.
The Ragin Cajuns finished the season with a 47-13 record.
Stat of the game: Clemson outscored UNC Wilmington, Auburn and Louisiana 18-0 on their way to winning their first regional championship. The Tigers allowed just five hits and walked just one batter in 17 innings.
Up Next: Clemson will play No. 7 overall seed Oklahoma State in the Super Regional Round of the NCAA Softball Tournament next week in Stillwater, Okla.