Super Tigers! Clemson softball advances to NCAA Super Regional

Clemson softball got its revenge on Kentucky and is moving on in the NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers defeated Wildcats, 5-1, on Sunday in the Clemson regional final at McWhorter Stadium.

Clemson will be on the road for the Super Regional and face Texas. The Longhorns, the No. 6 national seed, defeated Central Florida on Sunday to win the Austin Regional.

It is the third Super Regional appearance for Clemson, which didn’t start its softball program until 2020. The Tigers were swept in their two other Super Regional appearances, in 2022 and 2023.

“The University of Texas is a storied softball program and we are looking forward to the weekend… it’s going to be a rowdy place to play, just like McWhorter,” Clemson coach Joe Rittman said. “I know this team will go in there and be ready to play… I’ve told my team all along, to get where you want to go you have to beat really good teams and I think we are up for the challenge.”

With the win, Clemson improves to 9-1 at home in NCAA regional games. This was the second meeting of the season between Clemson and Kentucky. The Wildcats won, 7-6, at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational on Feb. 14.

Clemson (47-12) has improved since its early season loss to the Wildcats and got help from freshmen Marion Collins and Taylor Pipkins on Sunday. Collins had three hits and Pipkins had a two-run homer in the fourth inning.

“Our offense has been pretty darn good all year long,” Rittman said. “You never know who is going to strike any given game… the opposing team’s pitching coach will tell you that this is a tough lineup to pitch to.”

After a slow start to Saturday’s game against Northwestern, Clemson started strong on Sunday.

First baseman Julia Knowler doubled home Alex Brown in the third inning for the game’s first run. The Tigers added three more runs in the third inning. Taylor Pipkins hit a two-run homer, which measured 232 feet, to make it 3-0. Maddie Moore also had an RBI double in the inning.

Reese Basinger picked up the win for Clemson, allowing one unearned run on six hits in 5 ⅓ innings pitched. Brooke McCubbin came in relief and shut down the Wildcats’ offense, retiring all four batters she faced in her fourth save of the season.

“Obviously our pitching staff, coach Jamieson does a great job with our pitchers but just to see the growth from them with a 3-6 start to where we are now,” Rittman said. “... and when she (Basinger) figured it out she kind of took us on this ride and kept us in every game. About halfway through the season Brooke McCubbin just really stepped up and we have a one-two punch.”

2025 Clemson softball regional schedule

All games at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson

Friday, May 16

Game 1: No. 3 Northwestern 4, No. 2 Kentucky 0

Game 2: No. 1 Clemson 10, No. 4 USC Upstate 2

Saturday, May 17

Game 3: No. 1 Clemson, No. 3 Northwestern 0 (9)

Game 4: No. 2 Kentucky 11, No. 4 USC Upstate 0

Game 5: No. 2 Kentucky 8, No. 3 Northwestern 3

Sunday, May 18

Game 6: No. 1 Clemson 5, No. 2 Kentucky 1

This story was originally published May 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM.