ATHENS, Ga. – Pitcher Abby Dunning gave a near-perfect performance at Jack Turner Stadium Friday, but three errors by Clemson’s defense allowed UNC Greensboro to best the Tigers 1–0 in the opening round of the Athens (Georgia) Regional.
Before a first inning error that allowed an unearned run to score– ultimately the game’s deciding factor, the Tigers had not committed an error in over three weeks. Additionally, a Clemson squad led by head coach John Rittman had not lost an NCAA Regional game in two years.
Dunning struck out seven batters, tied for her season high, walking only one on two hits. She gave up no earned runs in her eighth appearance with five or more innings of work this season. It was her sixth time allowing no earned runs in appearances with three or more innings pitched. Still, Dunning suffered the loss and fell to 8-9 on the year.
At the plate, shortstop Kiley Channell finished with two of the Tigers’ four hits, doubling twice to bring her count to 10 this season, second best on the squad. Second baseman Marian Collins and designated player Macey Cintron each singled, but were left stranded.
The Tigers finished 0-of-8 with runners on base, 0-of-3 with runners in scoring position, and left six players stranded. The loss marked the fourth time Clemson has been shut out this season, and the second time in its last three games. Clemson had only one more hit than error.
The Tigers’ all-time record against the Spartans dropped 3-2 with the loss, dating back to 2020, the first year in program history for Clemson. Their record in regional tournaments fell to 32-21 all-time with the defeat.
The Spartans opened the game quickly, drilling a leadoff single through the middle. A sacrifice bunt moved her over to second, and a fielding error from first baseman Mac Pavese sent the runner to third. A groundout notched out No. 2, but scored the runner for a 1-0 lead.
Tigers shortstop Kiley Channell answered back with a one-out double in the second after second baseman Marian Collins singled, but two quick outs ended Clemson’s hopes of knotting the score through one. Collins was the only leadoff hitter to reach in any frame for the Tigers.
Channell launched another double in the third inning, bringing her to 10 on the season, but was again left stranded.
After two quick outs in the bottom of the fourth, designated player Macey Cintron laced a single up the middle, but another strike out ended the frame.
In the top of the sixth, UNC Greensboro’s first baseman Laney Deane gave the Spartans their first hit since the first batter of the game with a single, and a hit by pitch put runners on first and second. The Spartans were mere feet away from getting three runs with a long extra base hit on the next at-bat, but centerfielder Jamison Brockenbrough robbed the hit on her second impressive defensive catch of the day.
UNC Greensboro’s centerfielder made her own defensive grab in the bottom of the frame off of a long fly ball from Collins to conclude the inning. Clemson stranded two more baserunners in the last three innings, and the initial score held, giving the Tigers’ their fourth loss to non Power Four opponents this season.
UNC Greensboro’s Brooklyn Shroyer got the win in the circle, striking out five and allowing no runs on four hits in seven innings.
Up Next
With the defeat, Clemson will have to claw its way out of the losers’ bracket for a chance to make it to championship Sunday. The Tigers will play the loser of Georgia’s game against the College of Charleston at 3:00 p.m. Saturday. Network coverage is still to be determined.