Clemson Hands Tar Heels Second Loss
By: sydney-bellamy March 15, 2024

CLEMSON – Friday night’s game against North Carolina could not have gotten off to a better start for Clemson’s Alex Brown. The third baseman opened the Tigers’ first with a home run to right field.

The reason Brown’s home run was special was because she did it against her old team, helping the Tigers knock off North Carolina 5-0 at McWhorter Stadium.

In the off season, Brown transferred from North Carolina with the hopes of helping Clemson get to the College World Series. So far, she is off to a good start this season, as she is the Tigers’ lead off hitter and is hitting .337.

Her home run against North Carolina’s starter Nikki Harris was Brown’s second bomb of the season.

Brown wasn’t the only Tiger to go yard for Clemson on Friday. Freshman Kylee Johnson hit two home runs as the Tigers improved to 3-1 in the ACC and 19-6 overall.

Clemson also got RBI from Aby Vieira and Lindsay Garcia, as the Tigers handed North Carolina their second loss of the season in 22 tries.

The Tigers got on the board early in the first inning with Brown’s homer to right field. Arielle Oda and Alia Logoleo both reached on a single, and Maddie Moore came up with a walk to load the bases. Vieira hit an RBI sac fly for a 2-0 lead.

Johnson added to the Tigers lead with a deep bomb to left field in the second for a 3-0 advantage.

Clemson’s Moore reached on a walk in the third inning and advanced to third with a double from Vieira. Garcia hit an RBI sac fly to score Moore and Clemson took a 4-0 lead.

In the fourth, Johnson hit her second long ball of the night to add an insurance run for the Tigers.

Clemson pitcher  Regan Spencer, who started in the place of Valerie Cagle threw a complete-game shutout with three strike outs and gave up just five hits. Though Regan wasn’t blowing past people like Cagle, she did control the game by finding her spots and keeping North Carolina off balance.

Spencer improved to 4-0 on the season.

OUT

Clemson All-American Valerie Cagle did not play due to not feeling well. She will be day-to-day for the rest of the weekend.

UP NEXT

Clemson will host North Carolina in Game 2 of the three-game series on Saturday at McWhorter Stadium.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!