Clemson softball’s NCAA Tournament regional announced

Clemson looks to advance out of a road NCAA regional for the first time.

by TigerNet Staff - Sun May 12 19:36:18 GMT-04:00 2024

Clemson softball is hitting the road for the NCAA Tournament's regional round for the first time in three seasons.

The Tigers (34-17) are headed to the Tuscaloosa Regional and will face Southeastern Louisiana (45-13) on Friday (2 p.m. ET/ACCN). That is paired with site host and No. 14 overall Alabama (33-17), which takes on USC Upstate (30-21) at 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+).

The Tuscaloosa Regional is paired with the No. 3 Tennessee regional for the Supers. The Vols won in Clemson, 2-1, in nine innings back in March.

The Tigers finished the lead-up to the NCAA Tournament after losing 4-3 to the eventual ACC Softball champions and one-seeded host Duke on Friday.

Clemson had an RPI of 21 and a No. 20-ranked schedule as of Sunday afternoon (WarrenNolan.com).

The Clemson softball program has made the NCAA Tournament each season eligible, going back to 2021 (Tuscaloosa Regional). It has hosted regionals in the last two editions and advanced to the Super Regional rounds in those two seasons. Clemson is seeking its first Women's College World Series bid, which is hosted in Oklahoma City.

Reigning national player of the year Valerie Cagle has led Clemson in batting average (.365) and RBIs (42), while first-team All-ACC infielder Maddie Moore has led in home runs (10), stolen bases (15) and on-base percentage (.473). McKenzie Clark is at the top in total bases (97) and second in batting average (.361), home runs (9), and on-base percentage (.470).

Right-hander Regan Spencer has led from the circle with a 10-4 record over 28 appearances, totaling a 1.95 ERA and a team-best opposing batting average (.227) in 107 2/3 innings. Lefty Millie Thompson has a team-best ERA (1.79) with 72 strikeouts to nine walks over 86 innings. Cagle has a team-best 98 strikeouts in 93 2/3 innings.