Tigers Clinch Top 4 Seed in ACC Tournament

Maddie Moore and Kylee Johnson both hit home runs, while Taylor Pipkins produced three RBIs, as No. 19 Clemson took care of business Friday in a 6-2 victory over Georgia Tech at Mewborn Field in Atlanta, Ga.

The win allowed the Tigers (39-12, 17-5 ACC) to not only take Game 1 of the three-game series, but move a step closer to claiming a possible regional host site, while also improving to 11-0 all-time against the Yellow Jackets. They came into the game fresh off a win at No. 1 Tennessee this past Tuesday.

Ranked No. 14 in the latest RBI, Clemson has won 15 games against top 50 RBI opponents, including seven wins over top 25 teams. The Tigers have knocked off the No. 4, No. 10, No. 11, No. 13 (twice), No. 23 and No. 24 teams in the RPI.

Though Georgia Tech (26-19, 10-9 ACC) will not count as a high RPI win, the win did help the Tigers clinch a top four seed in next month’s ACC Tournament. They are one win away from clinching, at the least, the No. 3 seed.

After following behind 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning, Moore tied things up with solo home run with two outs in the top of third. The Tigers grabbed the lead for good when Johnson homered to left field for a two-run shot with one out in the fourth.

Pipkins put the game away in the fifth inning, as she cleared a one-out bases load situation with a double to centerfield, which plated three runs and gave Clemson a commanding 6-1 lead through five innings.

Reese Basinger was solid in the circle, as she went the distance, allowing just two runs in six hits, while striking out three and walking none. Moore and Aby Vieira both led the Tigers with 2-for-4 performances at the plate.

Up Next

Clemson and Tech will play Game 2 of the series on Saturday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m., and will be televised on the ACCN.