Clemson softball fell short to Oklahoma State on Friday night, ending the Tigers’ season after their first trip to super regionals in program history.
In the 5-1 loss, Clemson fell behind early after Oklahoma State jumped out to a four-run lead after two. Three of the Cowgirls’ first four runs came in the second inning when Clemson shortstop Alia Logoleo struggled to field some balls and had three consecutive errors.
Center fielder McKenzie Clark hit a solo homer in the bottom of the third to bring the game within three, but Oklahoma State tacked on another run in the fourth and ultimately fed off its strong second inning to win the game.
“We’re a young ball club, and sometimes we speed the game up, and we start making mistakes because we’re playing way too fast,” said Clemson head coach John Rittman before the fourth inning. “Couple of routine ground balls, big inning from Oklahoma State, and they took advantage of the errors.”
Meanwhile, Valerie Cagle pitched all seven innings for the Tigers, giving up six hits and finishing with four strikeouts. At the plate, she batted 1-for-2 and walked once. 
Although Clemson didn’t earn a spot in the Women’s College World Series, the Tigers’ super regionals appearance was the first in the young program’s history.
“Last year, I think regionals felt a little too big, and this year we kind of blew through it,” said Clemson senior second baseman Cammy Pereira. “This year, supers may have felt a little too big, and next year they’re going to blow through that and head to the World Series.”
With the program’s second full season now in the books, the Tigers will return to the field next spring without Pereira, but with hopes of taking the next step in postseason play.