CLEMSON – The Boston College Eagles snapped the No. 15 Clemson Tigers’ eight-game winning streak and handed them a 5-2 defeat on Senior Day Saturday at McWhorter Stadium.
The loss in the Tigers’ regular-season home finale marked only Clemson’s third defeat in its last 18 ACC games.
For three innings, pitching ruled at McWhorter Stadium, and both teams found themselves in a defensive battle, or a lackluster offensive stretch, depending on perspective.
Clemson’s starting pitcher, senior Reese Basinger, started in the circle, allowing no hits and only one walk in three innings. No B.C. players reached base in the first two innings. Similarly, Boston College starter Kelly Colleran allowed no Tigers to reach base in the first two innings, recording one strikeout.
The first sign of any offensive life came for Clemson in the third.
The Tigers (37-12, 16-5 ACC) struck first when right fielder Taylor Pipkins reached first on a fielding error and left fielder Sam Minish was hit by a pitch. Jamison Brockenbrough pushed Pipkins to third with a single ripped to centerfield, and third baseman Alex Brown bumped her home with a fielder’s choice, the first run from any team.
However, the Tigers could not extend their lead and left one on base, returning to the offensive drought of the first two innings. As head coach John Rittman predicted after Clemson’s win last night, the Eagles took full advantage.
In the top of the fourth, B.C. (20-23, 5-13 ACC) shortstop Gator Robinson and catcher Hannah Slike knocked singles through Clemson’s infield, handing Basinger her first adversity of the day. Next, right fielder Jordan Stephens stepped up and punched a ticket home for both her predecessors with a three-run home run to center field.
Clemson responded with another inning with no baserunners, and Boston College extended their lead 4-1 by reaching on a throwing error from Brown and a double from second baseman Emma Jackson.
In the bottom of the fifth, shortstop Marian Collins breathed life into Clemson’s offense with a leadoff double, and Brockenbrough sent her home on a fielder’s choice to cut the deficit 4-2. Clemson failed to capitalize on two drawn walks from Minish and Brown. However, a strikeout from Maddie Moore ended the campaign.
Two more singles from Slike and Stephens and a sacrifice fly RBI from Zoe Hines in the sixth inning sealed the 5-2 Boston College victory.
Basinger suffered the loss, dropping her record to 15-5 on the year. She gave up three earned runs on three hits with one walk and no strikeouts in four innings of work.
She was relieved by fellow senior Brooke McCubbin, who allowed two runs off three hits in 1.1 innings of work. Freshman Macey Cintron finished the game and gave up no hits and one unearned run in 1.2 innings.
Colleran pitched a complete game for the Eagles, allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts and only two walks.
“(Colleran) did a good job with her off-speed pitch,” Clemson head coach John Rittman said. “She was hitting her spots well, and their defense played well behind her.”
The loss did not stop Clemson from honoring nine seniors after the game with framed jerseys, flowers, and a tribute video. Nearly 100 combined friends and family members escorted the players to receive their jerseys and applause in the circle.
“Tough loss for us today on an emotional day where we appreciate our seniors for all the things they’ve done for our program and building this culture and living by our values and being such servant leaders to Clemson softball,” Rittman said.
“Really proud of all of them and it’s tough, you get emotional, but we’re glad we get to celebrate them today, and we’ve got a lot more softball to play.”
Up Next
Though Clemson suffered the loss, the Tigers have a quick opportunity to return to the win column. This Tuesday, April 22, the Tigers will play the second-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in the last midweek game of the season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.