CLEMSON, S.C. – The University of Notre Dame softball fell 3-2 in the series opening game with the 14th-ranked Clemson Tigers Thursday night at McWhorter Stadium. The Fighting Irish scored two runs early, but couldn’t hold off the Tigers in the bottom of the seventh as Clemson scored two to win it. The 21st-ranked Fighting Irish fall to 30-8 on the season and are now 9-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference action. Clemson improves to 32-10 and 10-6 in ACC action.
Payton Tidd started in the circle, throwing 6.1 innings. She scattered six hits and the three Clemson runs were credited to her, two of which were earned as she suffered the loss. Alexis Holloway came on in relief in the seventh, allowing a hit and getting an out.
The Irish offense was paced by a 2-for-3 effort from clean-up hitter Karina Gaskins. Jane Kronenberger, Miranda Johnson, Cassidy Grimm and Sarah Genz each added a hit in the contest.
Notre Dame got on the board in the top of the first inning, plating two runs. A walk and a hit batter with one out put two on. Gaskins chopped a single up the middle and legged it out, and the throw to get her at first was wild, allowing Clark to score from second and Sweet took third. With runners on the corners, Emily Tran, pinch running for Gaskins, ran the delayed steal to perfection, forcing a throw as she stole second and Sweet slid in at home ahead of the relay to take the 2-0 lead.
Clemson battled for a run in their half of the first inning. A lead-off single and a double put runners on second and third with no outs. A sacrifice fly to left brought a run in before Tidd buckled down and struck out two to keep the Irish in front.
The Irish threatened in the fourth, getting back-to-back singles to start the frame, but couldn’t find the play needed to add some insurance.
The 2-1 score held until the bottom of the seventh inning. The bottom of the Clemson lineup started the rally with back-to-back one out singles. Lead-off hitter Cammy Pereira chopped a single back to Brooke Marquez at short who fired home to hold the Irish lead. McKenzie Clark followed as she dropped a single off the end of the bat to right field to tie the game. An error led to the game-winning run as the Irish fell 3-2.
Up Next
The Irish and Tigers are back in action tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. for the second game of the three-game series.