CLEMSON – After trailing early by as many as four runs, Corri Hicks’ homer and five total runs batted in, as well as dominant pitching from Keira Crosby and Abby Dunning catapulted Clemson to a 12-4 run-rule win Tuesday night over Gardner-Webb at McWhorter Stadium.

The Tigers combined for 11 hits from six different players, putting up crooked numbers in three frames, as they fought back to end a three-game losing skid. With the win, Clemson improved its all-time record against the Runnin’ Bulldogs to 6-0, notching a new scoring high against the familiar foe.

Hicks, a catcher, led the way with three hits, five runs batted in, and two runs scored. Shortstop Marian Collins and shortstop Kiley Channell also recorded multi-hit games, combining for six of the eight Tiger hits as a trio. Six of Clemson’s (24-13, 6-6 ACC) hits came with extra bases in the sunset-soaked victory.

Abby Dunning got the start in the circle, but was quickly replaced after a turbulent first inning. Four innings later, the graduate came back into the game, and gave up no runs on two hits, along with two strikeouts in her second stint. Keira Crosby pitched in her absence, giving up only one run on four hits with one walk.

With Dunning struggling, it did not take long for Gardner-Webb (23-13) players to introduce themselves to Clemson fans. The Runnin’ Bulldogs opened the game by drawing a leadoff walk, and then singled to put runners on first and second with no outs. Dunning notched a strikeout, but another walk and a single scored a run, giving Gardner-Webb a 1-0 lead.

When a one-out double plated two more, giving the Runnin’ Bulldogs a 3-0 advantage, Dunning’s evening came to a close– at least for the time being. The senior was replaced by Crosby, a freshman, after only one-third of an inning.

Clemson got its second out of the inning with a throw to home to save another run, and the 22-minute half-inning concluded when a Gardner-Webb batter stepped on the plate, but not before the Runnin’ Bulldogs put up their first crooked number against the Tigers in program history.

The Tigers turned the momentum around quickly in the bottom of the frame, drawing a leadoff walk and laying down a bunt single to put runners on first and second with no outs. Quickly, that momentum was squashed when a double play and a groundout ended a promising start.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs capitalized off of a two-out rally, created from two singles and a walk, in the top of the second to extend their lead 4-0. 

In the bottom of the second, after a stagnant week, the Tigers’ offense woke up. Designated player Julia Knowler drew a leadoff walk, and third baseman Marian Collins doubled to put two Clemson players in scoring position.

With runners on second and third and no outs, Hicks watched three pitches, and then sent her seventh blast of the year 257 feet out of the park for three RBIs, and a 4-3 score. The long-ball brought Hicks to 27 RBIs on the season, and marked her first run scored in over two weeks.

Second baseman Taylor Pipkins kept the momentum going with a double to left center, and with two outs, Channell sent her home on an RBI single. Pavese added a double, and minutes after trailing by four runs, Clemson held a 5-4 advantage.

The Tigers added onto the lead in the third when Marian Collins tripled to open the inning, and Hicks sent her home on a single, her fourth RBI of the night. Clemson plated three more in the frame after Gardner-Webb issued three walks and made their second error of the game.

After her rough start, Dunning re-entered the circle in the fourth, for her second appearance in one night. After failing to get out of the first inning, she sat down all three of the four batters she saw in the fourth, and continued to a no-hit frame in the fifth.

The veteran did not allow another run through two more innings, and the Tigers plated three more in the sixth to wrap up their fourth-ever run-rule victory against the Runnin’ Bulldogs.

Clutch Collins

After two games without a hit, Collins laced a double and a triple against the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Her double marked the 25th of her career, leading all Tigers. The hits marked her No. 14 and 15 extra-base hits of the season.

RISP Relief

After struggling to plate any runs with runners in scoring position against Florida State last weekend, Clemson batted .474 with runners on base, and .357 with runners in scoring position. They were .286 with two outs.

Clean Defense

Defensively, the Tigers did not commit any errors through seven innings, and turned a double play. On the flip side, Gardner-Webb made two errors. Both of which led to Clemson scores.

Up Next

After a four-game home stand, Clemson will hit the road to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech in a three-game series this weekend. The Tigers will get the action started Thursday, when first pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Tech Softball Park.