CLEMSON – Sarah Breaux blasted two home runs and Macey Cintron added one of her own as Clemson took a series-opening, run-rule 12-4 win over No. 18 Virginia at McWhorter Stadium Friday evening.

The Tigers notched 16 hits to Virginia’s six as they improved 14-2 all-time against Virginia, and increased a three-game winning streak over the Cavaliers. Six players had multi-hit games as Clemson scored eight unanswered runs in the last two frames.

Clemson scored in four frames, recorded hits in five and reaching base in each inning. The Tigers struck out only once and drew four walks as Clemson pitcher Sierra Maness struck out five across 4.1 innings.

With the win, Clemson took back a winning record in ACC-play and collected its fifth Top-25 win of the season. 

The Tigers (27-17, 10-9 ACC) wasted no time getting things started in the first inning, when leadoff hitter Jamison Brockenbrough drew a leadoff walk to get things rolling. With one out, first baseman Mac Pavese drove her home for an early 1-0 lead.

Two innings later, Clemson batted around en route to a three-run frame. Brockenbrough, shortstop Kiley Channell, and Pavese blasted consecutive one-out singles to start the inning and load the bases. Designated player Macey Cintron busted the run open with a two-run single, and second baseman Marian Collins sent home another on a double for a 4-0 lead.

The double marked Collins’ 11th of the season, and 17th extra-base hit of the season and improved her hit-streak to four games against ACC competition.

Through the first four frames, starting pitcher Sierra Maness held the Cavaliers (33-9, 10-8) scoreless, allowing no runs, two hits, and five strikeouts. After leaving four on base, Virginia put it all together. 

The Cavaliers drew a walk and singled twice to put their first run on the board and cut the lead 4-1. One batter later, with the bases loaded, designated player Bella Cabral launched a three-run homer to tie the lead 4-4.

After taking their first punch of the afternoon, the Tigers responded quickly.

Collins, the leadoff hitter, singled to lead the inning off, and catcher Corri Hicks followed suit with a single of her own to put runners on first and second with no outs. Next up, third baseman Sarah Breaux blasted a three-run homer nearly to Clemson’s football facility, retaking a 7-4 lead.

In the sixth, Channell reached on a fielding error, and Pavese singled to send a pinch runner home for an 8-4 score. Brockenbrough, Channell, Pavese, and Collins, as well as Breaux and Cintron all finished with multiple hits on the day. Pavese and Brockenbrough each had three hits.

Thanks to another shutout innings from Maness, the Tigers kept the lead with another Brockenbrough RBI single, and picked up the series-opening win.

CLUTCH CLEMSON 

Though Clemson was 0-for-3 with two outs, the Tigers were 9-for-16 with runners in scoring position, and .600 with runners in scoring position. Clemson also drew four walks and only struck out once to Virginia’s five.

PITCHING BATTLE

Entering the game, Virginia was ranked second in the ACC with a 2.73 Earned Run Average, averaging almost eight strikeouts per game. Friday marked just the third time allowing 10 runs in ACC play.

MANNESS MAKES UP FOR IT

Though Maness gave up a four-run fifth inning, she still got the win after striking out five, allowing six hits, walking two, and hitting two with pitches. Cintron came in in relief in the fifth, and after hitting one batter, she got three quick outs to secure the win and improve her record 3-0.

NEXT UP

The Tigers will host Virginia again Saturday at McWhorter Stadium in an attempt to claim the series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.