Clemson softball makes history, punches ticket to program’s first Super Regional
Clemson’s softball program was just a dream six years ago. On Sunday, the Tigers won an NCAA regional championship.
The Tigers, the No. 10 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, won the program’s first regional title with an 8-0 victory Sunday over Louisiana in the Clemson Regional at McWhorter Stadium.
Though it’s head coach John Rittman’s first regional championship at Clemson, it’s not his first as a head coach. He won five regional championships at Stanford and took two of those teams to the Women’s College World Series.
“There is no greater feeling than winning championships, and this one is the most special,” he said. “To start a program and to come as far as we have come in a short amount of time. There has been a lot of hard work — a lot of blood, sweat and tears put into this program.
“Just reflecting on the past three years. There are just so many memories. They are all special, but this one is the most special. I am so proud of everybody involved in our program.”
Clemson (42-15) exploded for seven runs in the top of the fourth inning and won an inning later via the eight-run mercy rule. The Tigers were led by Cammy Pereira’s 3-for-3 day with two runs scored at the plate and by Valerie Cagles’ 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 Friday by allowing one hit Sunday in a complete-game shutout against Louisiana (47-13).
Big inning for Tigers
Clemson broke the game open in the fourth inning. The Tigers scored seven runs on six hits after heading into the inning clinging to a one-run lead.
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, which also got a solo home run from catcher Aby Vieira.
Cagle proves why she is one of the country’s top players
A day after throwing a complete-game shutout, Cagle was 2-for-3 on the day and had four RBIs. She also had a one-out RBI single in the top of the first inning to score Pereira.
Clemson’s two-time All-ACC performer scored the Tigers’ lone run in Saturday’s win over Auburn.
“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.”
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 five hits, walked one batter and hit two in 17 innings.
“Coach Kyle Jamieson deserves a lot of credit. He calls a great game and works his butt off with our pitchers,” Rittman said. “Like I said, I am so proud of our pitching staff. We have seen so much growth in the last two years with our pitching staff. Sometimes they make it look real ease, but it is a lot of work.”
Up next: Super Regional schedule
Clemson will play the winner of the Stillwater Regional — No. 7 seed Oklahoma — in the Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament next weekend. The series will be played at Oklahoma.
- Thursday: 9:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2
- Friday: 6 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2
- Saturday: at TBD on TBD
This story was originally published May 22, 2022 at 2:17 PM.