Pittsburgh got back-to-back-to-back home runs in the third inning, as it rallied from four runs down to knock off Clemson, 8-5, Friday at Vartabedian Field in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The Panthers were tailing 4-0 when Ahmari Braden, Shelby Frazier and Gracie Helton hit consecutive solo home runs to start the top of the third inning. Tieley Vaughn then put the game away in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run jack to straightaway centerfield.

Vaughn finished the afternoon 2-for-4 at the plate to go with her home run and 2 RBIs, while Braden also drove in two runs.

After Pitt (21-18, 7-9 ACC) grabbed its lead, the Tigers had nothing for pitcher Gwen Sparks. Playing off her teammates’ momentum, the righty dominated the rest of the way, allowing one hit from the third inning through the sixth.

The Tigers got home runs from Mac Pavese and Taylor Pipkins in a losing effort. Jamison Brockenbrough went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Pavese was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs. Pavese’s three RBIs came by way of a first inning home run. Pipkins went 2-for-3 on the afternoon.

Clemson (25-16, 7-9 ACC) looked like it was going to cruise to an easy win to start the game. Brockenbrough got an infield single to start things off and then Kiley Channell followed with a double to left centerfield.

With no outs and runners on second and third, Pavese launched a bomb to centerfield for a 3-0 lead.

The Tigers extended their lead to 4-0 in the second inning after Corri Hicks reached on an error and Taylor got a one-out base hit through the right side. Still with one out, Brockenbrough singled up the middle, bringing Hicks home from second base.

Clemson was cruising until Pitt looked more like the Pittsburgh Pirates than the Panthers. Braden, Frazier and Helton hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to start the home half of third inning, pulling their team within two runs.

Still in the third, Pitt tied the game when Alena Ball scored on a wild pitch before Addison Toczek lined a ball up the middle to with two outs to score Vaughn from third base for a 5-4 lead.

The Panthers added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, as they loaded the bases with two outs for Braden who drew a four-pitch walk. 

After Vaughn added her two-run homer in the sixth inning, Pipkins hit solo shot to right centerfield to start the seventh inning for the Tigers. With two outs and down three runs, Pavese doubled down the leftfield line and Macey Cintron drew a four-pitch walk to bring the tying run the the plate. However, Julia Knowler popped up to shortstop to end the game.

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Clemson will face Pitt in Game 2 of the their three-game series on Saturday at 7 p.m.