After taking Game 1 of its three-game series at No. 11 Virginia Tech, the Clemson softball team dropped Game 2, as the Hokies evened the series with a 9-1 run-rule victory in the fifth inning at Tech Softball Park in Blacksburg, Va.

The rubber match in the three-game series will be played Saturday night at 6 p.m.

Virginia Tech (32-5, 8-3 ACC) scratched across single runs in the first and second innings, before Michelle Chatfield smacked a three-run homer to leftfield in the bottom of the third for a 5-0 lead at the time. Chatfield’s home run came with one out on a 1-1 pitch from Clemson starter Abby Dunning.

The Hokies ultimately ran Dunning out of the circle later in the third inning.

A day after scoring four runs on Emma Mazzarone, including a three-run round tripper by third baseman Sarah Breaux, the Tigers (25-15, 7-7 ACC) did nothing at the plate against Virginia Tech ace Bree Carrico. The righty was dominant in the circle, as she threw all five innings to improve to 10-0 on the season. She allowed the Tigers’ one run on three hits, which all came in the top of the fifth inning.

Clemson (25-15, 7-7 ACC) got runners on first and second with two outs in the top of the second, as Marian Collins and Corri Hicks both drew two-out walks. However, Breaux struck out on four pitches to end the threat.

In the top of the fourth, Macey Cintron drew a one-out walk on four pitches, and pinch runner Kylee Johnson later moved to second base on a wild pitch from Carrico. The sophomore, who did not play in 2025, got out of the inning by getting Collins to ground out to first base.

The Tigers finally got to Carrico in the fifth inning when Taylor Pipkins homered to leftfield with two outs. It was was the sophomore’s second home run of the season and her ninth RBI.

After Pipkins’ dinger, Clemson loaded the bases, as Jamison Brockenbrough and Kiley Channell both singled. Mac Pavese then walked on four straight pitches to load things up for Cintron. However, Clemson’s power hitter flew out to leftfield, allowing Carrico to escape the fifth with no more damage done.

Virginia Tech answered the Tigers’ run in the bottom of the fifth inning when, with one out, Kylie Aldridge homered to rightfield to extend the lead to 6-1. Still with one out, the Hokies ran reliever Keira Crosby out of the game and then Addison Foster doubled to right centerfield, scoring two more runs for an 8-1 advantage.

They then loaded the bases on Lexie Hames and Maddie Johnson before pushing the final run across the plate with a walk to end the game in five innings.