Clemson softball continued its hot start to the 2026 season on Friday. The ninth-ranked Tigers improved to 3-0 on the young season with a 9-4 victory over No. 21 Liberty in their third game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

Earlier in the day, Clemson rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat No. 5 Oregon, 6-5.

Against Liberty, the Tigers got RBI doubles from Taylor Pipkins, Julia Knowler and Kiley Channell. Pipkins’ double was a two-run smack that got her team going as part of a three-run second inning.

Clemson was led by Marian Collins, who was 3-for-3 at the plate and also drew a walk. Channell went 2-for-4 with her RBI. Kylee Johnson also drove in a run.

After Liberty cut the Tigers’ lead to 3-2 with a run in the top of the third, Clemson broke the game open with two runs in the bottom of the third and two more in the fourth. The Tigers closed their scoring with a two-run sixth inning.

Keira Crosby started for Clemson in the circle, her first of the year. The freshman allowed two runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Sierra Maness, who got her first win of the year, came in with two outs in the fourth inning and closed the game out.

The USC Upstate transfer allowed two runs on five hits. She struck out two and walked two.

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The Tigers will play Auburn on Saturday at 4 p.m., at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.