Following Clemson’s heartbreaking loss to Texas in Game 2 of the Austin Super Regional Friday night, John Rittman reminded his team where they were at the start of the season and where they are right now.

Despite Friday’s 7-5 loss in 10 innings to No. 6 Texas, the Tigers still need one win to advance to their first Women’s College World Series. It’s a place no one thought they would be at the start of the season, including themselves.

“I told them, ‘listen, in February, when we were 3-6 and you could say we would be in Texas, and we play one game to see who goes to the World Series. Would you guys take it?’ They all agreed they would.”

The heartbreaking part is Clemson (48-13) had the winning run 60 feet away with no outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. However, they failed to get it done and now they are in a winner-take-all game tonight at 9 p.m., at McCombs Field in Austin, Texas.

“We just have to take it one day at a time,” catcher Aby Vieira said. “Both teams are 0-0 in my mind tomorrow. We have to come out with a strong mind and play free like we have been playing all season.

“As a team, I think we are in the same boat. We will hold our head up high as we walk out of the stadium tonight and it is a new day tomorrow, and we will go from there.”

In the two games thus far in the Austin Regional, Clemson has outplayed the Longhorns (50-11). However, errors and mental breakdowns have proven to be costly for the Tigers, which is a credit to Texas’ resolve, as well.

The Tigers likely will see Texas’ All-American pitcher Teagan Kavan again tonight. They have seen her twice already in this Super Regional. The first night, the Tigers got nine hits and scored six runs on her and struck out just twice.

However, last night she came on in relief to earn the win in the circle, as she limited Clemson’s bats to no runs on five hits in five innings of work. She also struck out seven batters and issued just one walk.

“She is definitely a good pitcher,” Vieira said. “I think we need to learn where to attack in the zone and not conform to what she is doing. Like Coach Rittman said, she is an All-American. She is going to bring her best stuff, so it comes down to how do we, as hitters do our best to get hits and put the ball in play.

“When you put the ball in play, good things happen. So, that is the plan.”

No. 11 Clemson at No. 6 Texas (Game 3)

• 🗓 Date/Time: Saturday, May 24 • 9 p.m. ET
• 📍 Venue: Red & Charline McCombs Field • Austin, Texas
• 📺 Watch: TBA
• 📊 Stats: Live Stats 
• 📻 Listen: WCCP FM • ONLINE