CLEMSON – The Clemson Tigers welcomed another Carolina team to McWhorter Stadium for their second game of the Tiger Invitational.

Clemson (12-6) defeated East Carolina (9-6) by a score of 6-2, racking up seven hits. It improves the Tigers’ perfect home record this season to 8-0.

A slow start over the first two innings gave the Tigers time to adjust and find their rhythm at the plate.

Julia Knowler once again led the charge, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Maddie Moore recorded two singles versus the Pirates. Jamison Brockenbrough and Aby Vieira also contributed with key RBIs, adding to the offensive surge.

Starting pitcher Macey Cintron and relief pitcher Brooke McCubbin held their own and challenged the Pirates offense. Cintron struck out four and allowed four hits through four innings for the Tigers. McCubbin allowed three hits and struck out two to finish the game for Clemson.

The Pirates struck first as second baseman Logan Sutton ripped a hard-hit double to left field. She later came around to score on a single by Hailey Massaro, giving East Carolina an early 1-0 lead.

The Tigers’ first scoring inning sparked in the third when Marian Collins reached base after being hit by a pitch. Moore followed with a soft line drive through the five-six hole, moving the runners and putting Clemson in scoring position. Knowler then came through with a clutch shot down the right-field line, driving in two runs and reclaiming the lead for the Tigers.

A walk drawn by Ava Wilson set the stage for Sam Minish, who responded with a hard-hit triple to deep center field, scoring Wilson. Viera then executed a perfect squeeze bunt, utilizing Minish’s speed to bring her home. Collins added to the momentum with a bunt, followed by a sacrifice fly from Brockenbrough that allowed Kennedy Ariail to tag up and score, extending the lead to 5-1.

Clemson forced East Carolina to make a pitching change in the fourth after the Tigers put up three runs with just one down. The Tigers tallied four hits and five runs off starter Kendall Frost in two innings.

Reliever Taylor Apple stepped in and worked out of a jam, retiring two batters with the bases loaded to limit the damage and end the inning.

In the top of the sixth, East Carolina’s Chloe Geijer delivered a single to right field, bringing a run home and trimming Clemson’s lead to three.

However, in the bottom of the inning, an error by East Carolina’s second baseman with the bases loaded and two outs allowed Moore to cross the plate, pushing Clemson’s lead back to four.

A RBI Machine

Knowler is putting on a show at the Tiger Invitational. The sophomore first baseman has already racked up seven RBIs in just two games, showcasing her power with a three-run homer and a pair of two-run doubles.

 A Homecoming

Graduate student Morgan Johnson made her return to McWhorter Stadium, this time with the Pirates. A member of Clemson’s inaugural softball team, Johnson spent four seasons with the Tigers before transferring to East Carolina.

Up Next

The Tigers are set to take on Indiana for their third game of the Tiger Invitational. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at McWhorter Stadium.