Maddie Moore took a 1-2 pitch to centerfield for a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to lift No. 24 Clemson to an 8-7 victory over NC State Saturday at Dail Softball Stadium in Raleigh, N.C.

Moore (2-5) hit a three-run blast in the top of the seventh inning for her second home run of the afternoon. Alex Brown also hit a home run for the Tigers. Moore finished the day with five RBIs.

The win allows the Tigers to clinch the series thanks to Friday’s victory, as well.

Clemson (33-11, 13-4 ACC) trailed 4-3 heading into the sixth inning, but Brown led off the inning with a walk and then Moore took Carly Maxton’s 1-2 pitch to centerfield to put the Tigers on top to stay.

Brown opened the game with a home run to centerfield on a 3-2 count. The Tigers extended their lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning after Taylor Pipkins singled down the leftfield line with two outs to score Aby Vieira.

Clemson loaded the bases with one out in the third inning, but Macey Cintron grounded into a double play at third base to end the inning. After Vieira’s run in the fourth, they loaded the bases again and again the Tigers failed to capitalize, as Moore hit into fielder’s choice with two outs.

The Tigers loaded the bases for a third straight inning and once again they did not take full advantage of the opportunity. They did, however, brought one run home. Pipkins drew a two-out walk to score pinch runner Kennedy Ariail for a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth.

The Wolfpack (21-21, 4-13 ACC) rallied to take their only lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, as a fielding error and an RBI single from Kendall Simmers gave them a 4-3 lead. Designated Player Hannah Church had a two-run homer to centerfield in the fourth inning that tied the game, 2-2, at the time.

Clemson came roaring back in the top of the sixth, as Moore delivered her home run to centerfield, which plated Brown as well. The two-run shot gave the Tigers a 5-4 lead.

They loaded the bases again after Moore’s home run and again left them full. The Tigers finished the day 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and were 0-for-4 with the bases loaded.

Moore’s three-run home run in the seventh inning gave the Tigers an 8-4 lead and proved to be the difference in the game.

Reese Basinger came on in relief of starter Brooke McCubbin in the sixth inning to earn the win. She improved to 14-4 in the circle. McCubbin re-entered the game to pitch with one out in the bottom of the seven to earn the save.

NC State produced back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the seventh inning from Simmers and Church. Simmers had a two-run shot to left centerfield with one out and Church followed with a smash to centerfield to make the score 8-7.

The Wolfpack had runners on the corners with two outs and the tying run at third, but McCubbin got Teagan Thrunk to flyout to centerfield to end the game.

Record Night

Brown recorded her 200th career hit, and Moore set the Clemson career stolen base record with 47 swipes.

Brown led the Tigers with three hits to bring her career total to 202. She also finished with a team-high three runs. She knocked a full-count pitch out of dead center for a leadoff home run. It was her third homer of the 2025 campaign and gave Clemson a 1-0 lead. The hit also marked her 200th collegiate hit as the senior tallied 79 at North Carolina and 121 at Clemson.

Milestones continued to be achieved by the Tigers as Moore stole her 47th career base in the top of the second inning. She took sole possession of the record from McKenzie Clark (2021-24), who finished her career with 46 stolen bases.

Up Next

Clemson and NC State will meet in Game 3 of the the weekend series on Sunday at 1 p.m.