CLEMSON — Marian Collins’ doubled to centerfield with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a tie game against Georgia Tech, while lifting the flood gates to a five-running inning, as No. 25 Clemson rolled to a 9-4 victory Friday at McWhorter Stadium.

Collins led Clemson at the plate, going 2-for-3, while driving in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning. Corri Hicks added two hits and an RBI, as well. In all, nine different Tigers crossed the plate, while six recorded hits.

Sierra Mannes delivered a complete-game performance for the Tigers, though she allowed four runs on 10 hit and two walks, while recording five strikeouts. Clemson’s defense backed her up by making clutch plays throughout the night. 

Georgia Tech (15-9, 0-1 ACC) came out strong early and plated three runs in the top of the first inning, but the Tigers responded with three runs of their own. Mac Pavese and Hicks both had RBI hits in the first inning, while Julia Knowler also drove in a run.

In the fifth inning, Clemson (15-7, 1-0 ACC) showed patience at the plate by drawing seven walks in the inning to go along with Collins RBI double. The seven walks set a program record for one inning. The Tigers finished the game with a season-high 10 drawn walks.

The Yellow Jackets scored their three runs in the first inning when freshman Madi Duffel delivered a three-run double down the leftfield line to put the Yellow Jackets up 3-0. 

Clemson answered immediately in the bottom half of the first. Back-to-back bunts from Jamison Brockenbrough and Kylie Channell on the first two at-bats got the Tigers going.

Pavese drove a hard-hit ball through the right side of the infield to bring the first run in. Moments later, with the bases loaded and one out, Hicks delivered a hit that scored two more to tie the game.

Georgia Tech added a run in the top of the seventh inning thanks to a solo home run by Alyssa Willer to centerfield. The Yellow Jackets loaded the bases, but could get no closer.

UNDEFEATED

The Tigers improved to 14-0 all-time against Georgia Tech on the softball diamond.

UP NEXT

Clemson will look to win Game 2 in the series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.