ATHENS, Ga. — No. 8 Clemson stranded 13 runners as they fell to No. 3 Georgia 2-1 in eight innings on Wednesday night at Turner Softball Stadium. With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 13-1 on the season while the Tigers fell to 11-3.

Georgia took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a controversial play at the plate. A RBI double into the left field gap plated a runner from first on a play that was challenged after the umpire was out of position and not behind the plate.

Clemson tied the game in the top of the sixth with a little small ball. Arielle Oda beat out an infield single to shortstop and moved to second on a sac bunt by Alex Brown. McKenzie Clark hit a two-strike RBI single into right field to plate Oda to tie the game at 1-1.

The Bulldogs picked up the hard fought win in the bottom of the eighth inning as they used an infield single, wild pitch, fly ball, and RBI single for the 2-1 win.

Georgia reliver Lilli Backes (4-0) earned the win after allowing one run (one earned) on three hits with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings. Clemson starter Valerie Cagle suffered the hard-luck loss after allowing two runs (two earned) on six hits with 10 strikeouts in a complete game effort.

The Tigers finished the game with six hits, led by Clark and Oda with two each, while the Bulldogs tallied six hits in the contest.

Clemson opens up ACC play this weekend as NC State visits McWhorter Stadium. Friday’s opener is slated for 6:00 p.m. followed by a 1:00 p.m. start Saturday and a noon finale on Sunday. 

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