CLEMSON — As Clemson softball embarks on just its fifth season of play, the Tigers are looking to knock down the door and build on last season’s Super Regional appearance.

Clemson is ranked in the top-10 of all four preseason polls. The Tigers are #5 in both the NFCA and Softball America polls, while holding down the #7 spot in each of the D1Softball and ESPN/USA Softball polls. Clemson was picked in a tie for second with Duke in the ACC preseason poll and slotted in as the third team in the ACC by D1Softball.

Individually, superstar Valerie Cagle leads the Tigers with a growing list of preseason awards. The reigning ACC and National Player of the Year has been listed as the #1 player in D1Softball’s D100 Preseason Player Rankings, D1Softball’s ACC Player Rankings, Softball America’s Preseason Player Rankings, D1Softball’s Pitcher Rankings, Softball America’s First Baseman Rankings, and comes in at #4 on Softball America’s Pitcher Rankings. The redshirt senior was also chosen as the Preseason Player of the Year by D1Softball while being named a First-Team UT/P All-American by both D1Softball and Softball America.

Senior McKenzie Clark garnered preseason recognition from D1Softball as well. Clark as named as the #86-ranked overall player in the country while being listed as the 21st best outfielder in the country and 14th best player in the ACC. Transfer Alex Brown, who comes over from North Carolina, was listed as the 19th best player in the ACC.

Clemson opens their season on Thursday in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, FL as they take on Missouri State at 7:00PM. The Tigers will face top-15 and 2023 Super Regional team Oregon in Florida along with 2023 Regional teams Indiana, Liberty, and Missouri. The second weekend of the season Clemson will head to Mexico for the Puerto Vallarta Tournament where they are slated to face 2023 WCWS participate and top-15 Utah in addition to games against 2023 Regional teams Wichita State, top-20 Auburn, and Mississippi State.

Get your signed Valerie Cagle replica road sign today.  The nation’s top player has signed a limited number of these signs that have the same properties as a road sign.