CLEMSON — If Clemson’s shutout victory in Game 1 wasn’t enough, their performance in the following game surely satisfied.

The Tigers (17-6) demolished the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (9-9) in the second game of their Wednesday afternoon doubleheader, defeating them 12-0 in five innings.

“Great doubleheader sweep for us today,” head coach John Rittman said. “I really like the way our team played. The weather wasn’t perfect. You’re gonna have to play in some bad weather, but I love the way we came out.”

Clemson came into the game hot, scoring 12 runs in the first two innings and never looking back. Big hits and good plate IQ helped the Tigers get many walks and runs, and Charleston Southern had no answer.

The Buccaneers started off with a hit, with center fielder Weslin Jones getting a single. Nothing more came to fruition, as the Tigers executed a clean double play to stay clean early. Clemson followed with no mercy, scoring five runs off four hits, a couple of walks, and some great teamwork.

“It is very important,” Rittman said about their walks today. “We had a lot of runners on base due to balls. Early in the season, we probably would’ve expanded our zone and chased a little, but I loved our plate discipline.”

The primary momentum boost came from designated player Haylee Whitesides, who hit a double to drive in teammates Aly Vieira and Maddie Moore home. Within just an inning, the Tigers created a massive lead.

Charleston Southern opened the second inning with just a hit and no scores. In response, the Tigers upped the ante, scoring seven more runs to put the lead up 12-0. Five Tigers were walked while both Aly Vieira and Marian Collins doubled. The exclamation point came from senior Alex Brown, who hit a 220-foot grand slam, which dug the Buccaneers into a deeper hole.

“I love that Alex Brown hit her first career grand slam today,” Rittman said. “That was awesome.”

Neither team found anything in the third inning, earning outs easily and playing great defense. With the Buccaneers taking out pitcher Kinsey Clopton, who allowed 10 runs in the first two innings, and replacing her with Mackenzie Rutkoff in the second inning, things were looking better for them defensively. All it takes is some things to come together to get a spark.

The fourth inning came, and no spark was made, as first baseman Riley Burton earned an easy ground out followed by a quick snag over the plate, ending the inning quickly for the Buccaneers and leading the defense in the inning for Clemson. The Tigers quickly were shut down at bat in the fourth, with no hits or runs earned.

In the top of the fifth, Clemson held strong and earned three easy and quick outs while only allowing one hit, ending the game early and shutting out Charleston Southern in back-to-back games. However, a lot of bench players and others got to get some minutes in the game, which Rittman was happy about.

“We have a lot of players that work really hard, and when you’re in a program like Clemson, you sometimes don’t get many opportunities,” Rittman said. “So when you do, you gotta take advantage of it, and I love the way our bench comes in and gives us energy and gets the job done.”

With both of their victories tonight, the Tigers increased their win streak to 14 games, not losing since the middle of February against UCF. While already ranked at #22 nationally, Clemson will probably move up soon, considering their dominance at this point in the season.

Macey Cintron earned the win tonight, pitching 43 total pitches while allowing just three hits and zero runs.

“We’re playing a tough Division One schedule, and our pitchers have improved every week,” Rittman said. “Coach Jameson does a great job with them, and to get those shutouts is huge.”

The Tigers stay home to face the Duke Blue Devils on Friday, March 7, at 6 pm, aiming to win in their first conference matchup.