CLEMSON – In Clemson’s 1-0 win over Georgia Tech at McWhorter Stadium on Saturday, the Tigers recorded only one hit in 6 2/3 innings until catcher Corri Hicks sent a home run over the wall to secure a walk-off victory.

With the Tigers’ offense struggling, pitcher Abby Dunning stepped up to have the biggest game of her Clemson career. The righty pitched a complete game no-hitter, while allowing two walks and striking out four en route to her seventh win of the season.

“Just an absolutely awesome performance for Abby Dunning in the circle to throw the no-hitter,” head coach John Rittman said. “But anytime you can throw a no-hitter against a postseason team like Georgia Tech, that’s quite the accomplishment.”

Before Saturday, Dunning’s longest appearance of the season came on Feb. 6, when she pitched 5.2 innings in a win over Oregon. Several weeks later, the Boston College transfer missed a week of play due to a lower body injury she suffered against Baylor on Feb. 22. 

Dunning came back to throw two scoreless innings against the College of Charleston on March 4, three days before her no-hitter against the Yellow Jackets.

“I’m thankful that we sat (Dunning) out and that was the right thing to do,” Rittman said. “She probably wanted to pitch, but it was a type of injury where she needed the rest and to let it heal properly. I was glad we got her in the midweek game Wednesday night for a couple innings. But she pitched really well tonight, had command, kept them off balance and really proud of her.”

Back from injury, Dunning appeared as healthy as ever Saturday, routinely throwing fastballs with velocities around 70 miles-per-hour, as well as off-speed pitches for strikes. Thanks in part to her versatility, only three of the 24 batters that Dunning faced touched base.

“She’s got the velocity and she can change in and out,” Rittman said. She can go up, down, in and out.  She had a change-up a couple times that they had to be ready for today. So when you throw 70 with an off-speed, that’s tough for hitters.”

With the few opportunities Yellow Jacket hitters had to put balls in play, Clemson’s defense shut down any momentum. Centerfielder Jamison Brockenbrough made two running catches for outs, third baseman Sarah Breaux robbed a sure single down the line, and Hicks tracked down an out at the plate to keep the hit count at zero.

The Tigers (16-7, 2-0 ACC) committed no errors, allowing minimal free passes to a Georgia Tech team that averages 5.83 runs per game. In Dunning’s first extended innings in over two weeks, the defensive prowess provided confidence from her first moments in the circle.

“I think, honestly, every ball in play, the defense had my back and were shutting them down constantly,” Dunning said. “I was like, ‘I’m going to give it my all because the girls behind me are fighting.’ So, that was awesome.”

Clemson’s pitching in the first month of the season has been both a strength and weakness for the Tigers’ team. Dunning’s performance Saturday marked the eighth shutout from Clemson hurlers so far, but the Tigers have also given up eight or more runs five times. After allowing No. 12 Mississippi State nine runs last Sunday, however, Clemson pitchers have been dominant.

Saturday’s win marked the second consecutive scoreless game in the circle, as Dunning, Sierra Maness, Lexie Hames, and Keira Crosby combined to throw a four-hit, three-strikeout game against the College of Charleston on Wednesday. 

Along with an improved 5-2 record, Dunning decreased her Earned Run Average to 2.50 on the season. Additionally, the graduate picked up her first ACC series win at Clemson. All in all, the Chicago, Ill., native had a successful afternoon.

In fact, it might be her favorite day as a Tiger.

“My most memorable part is probably the first ACC series win. This has been a great day and good kickoff to the season,” she said. “These girls are awesome. I mean, there’s been some great moments with the team.”

Dunning and her team will have its next opportunity for a new ‘first’ Sunday, when the Tigers have the opportunity to sweep Georgia Tech in their first ACC series. Clemson and Georgia Tech will play at 6 p.m. at McWhorter Stadium.