Led by pitcher Valerie Cagle, Clemson softball took down Auburn, 1-0, in game three of Regional play on Saturday to advance to the Clemson Regional title game.
In a game that remained scoreless through the first three innings, Cagle got her team’s first hit of the game in the fourth with a double to left field. Clemson then got on the board for the game’s lone score when Marissa Guimbarda hit her own double to send Cagle home.
At the plate, Cagle and Guimbarda finished 1-for-3.
“Really proud of our team and the way we battled against a very good Auburn team, a very good pitcher,” Clemson head coach John Rittman said. “Found a way to win a game. Hats off to Valerie Cagle for pitching a terrific game.”
Pitching in seven innings, Cagle finished the game with six strikeouts, the last of which ended the game in the top of the seventh. She also got out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth after Auburn got in scoring position with only one out on the board.
Cagle’s performance comes one day after her teammate Millie Thompson pitched a five-inning no-hitter in the Tigers’ blowout victory over UNC Wilmington in game one of the Clemson Regional.
With Saturday’s victory, the Tigers are one win away from the program’s first Super Regional trip. They will first have to defeat either Auburn or the winner of Louisiana and UNC Wilmington in the Clemson Regional title game, which is slated to begin at noon on Sunday.
Cagle leads Clemson past Auburn to advance to Regional final
Justin Robertson, Sports Editor
May 21, 2022
Aralynn Minnick, Asst. Photo Editor
Clemson pitcher Valerie Cagle (72) prepares to pitch in the circle in the Tigers’ matchup with Auburn in the 2022 Clemson Regional at McWhorter Stadium.
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