Fans packed McWhorter Stadium for a free glimpse of the 2025 season during the
annual Orange vs. Purple intrasquad scrimmage on Sunday. Not only did Tiger fans get a preview of the upcoming season, but the scrimmage also helped head coach John Rittman evaluate his roster ahead of opening day.

The game was filled with offensive fireworks, particularly from Team Orange, which raises questions about Clemson’s pitching depth: Was it a product of familiarity among teammates, or will Ole Miss also tee off on the Clemson pitching squad when the Rebels face off this Thursday?

Freshman Marian Collins made an immediate impact, launching a three-run homer in the first inning to give Team Orange an early 3-0 lead. Julia Knowler and Jadeyn Ruszkowski added home runs of their own in the second, quickly extending Orange’s lead to 8-2.

Team Purple attempted to counter the long ball with small ball tactics, stringing together three straight singles in the bottom of the second.

However, pitcher Brooke McCubbin earned three quick outs to escape the jam unscathed.

A scary moment for Team Orange came in the third inning when relief pitcher Brook Melnychuk exited after taking a line drive to the foot. She later returned to the dugout in a boot while McCubbin stepped back onto the rubber and kept Team Purple off the board.

Kennedy Ariail gave Team Purple a spark with a solo homer in the fourth, but Team Orange continued to pile on.

Ava Wilson launched another home run in the fifth, and a four-run seventh inning, capped by Ruszkowski’s second blast of the game, secured a dominant 15-3 victory for Team Orange.

With the scrimmage in the books, Clemson now turns its focus to the Paradise Classic, where it will face Ole Miss on Thursday, Feb. 6, to kick off the 2025 season.