Clemson Outlasts Villanova in Extra-Inning Duel

CLEMSON — In a battle dominated by the pitchers, the Clemson softball team secured a 1-0 extra-inning victory over Villanova in eight innings on Friday in the Clemson Classic at McWhorter Stadium.

Pitcher Reese Basinger was nearly untouchable for the Tigers (7-6), allowing just three hits and striking out eight over eight scoreless innings. She outdueled Villanova’s Lexi Kobryn, who kept Clemson’s offense in check for most of the game.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Julia Knowler singled to right field, sending Maddie Moore home for a walk-off single.

Moore started the bottom of the eighth on second base. Knowler wasted no time, connecting on the second pitch of her at-bat for a single to right field, bringing Moore home for the game-winning run.

Clemson finished the game with seven hits. Jamison Brockenbrough and Knowler led the Tigers with two hits each.

Basinger pitched a strong game for the Tigers. The Wildcats drew six walks but were struck out in eight of 25 at-bats.

Despite early struggles at the plate, Clemson had scoring opportunities. In the second inning, Marian Collins singled to center, and Kennedy Ariail followed with a sharply hit ball down the left-field line to move Collins into scoring position. However, the Tigers were unable to capitalize until Knowler’s heroics in the eighth.

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The Tigers will face Marshall on Saturday in the Clemson Classic. First pitch from McWhorter Stadium is slated for 3 p.m. (ACC Network Extra).