Oklahoma transfer Corri Hicks smacked a two-run home run to right centerfield with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, as No. 9 Clemson rallied to beat Southeastern Louisiana, 5-3, Thursday in the season opener for both schools.
The win comes in the Tigers’ first game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.
With one out and pinch runner Ariail Kennedy on second base to start the eighth inning, Marian Collins singled up the middle to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead. After Sam Minish popped up to second base for the second out, Hicks took Tyler Oubre’s first pitch to right centerfield for what turned out to be the game-winning home run.
The Lions cut the lead to 5-3 and had the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, but Clemson starter Sierra Maness, who returned to the circle earlier in the inning, was able to earn the save when she got Shelby Morris to ground out to shortstop to end the game. Abby Dunning was credited with the win.
In the top of the seventh inning, after walking twice earlier in the game, the Tigers’ Jamison Brockenbrough finally got a pitch she could take a swing at and she made Lions’ pitcher Hallie Burns pay. With Kaylee Johnson sitting at first base with two outs, Brockenbrough took Hallie Burn’s first pitch to right field for a two-run home run.
Brockenbrough’s home run gave Clemson a 2-1 lead at the time. The senior’s home run came after the Lions grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Lions, however, were able to force extra innings after Detillier doubled down the left field line with two outs, scoring Morris from second base to tie the game at 2. Detillier’s double put runners on second and third base, but Dunning was able to get Schneider to flyout to center to force extra innings.
In the sixth inning, it appeared Schneider drove home the winning run for SE Louisiana. She singled up the middle to score Chloe Magee from second base with no outs, which gave the Lions a one-run lead. The lead seemed safe, as SE Louisiana pitching threw six-scoreless innings up to that point and allowed one hit.
Though she did not earn the win, Thursday was a good start for Maness. The righty allowed just one run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. She struck out six and walked five.
Burns threw 3 2/3 innings for SE Louisiana, while striking out five batters and walking one. She gave up three hits.
The Tigers had an opportunity to score in the top of third inning after Brockenbrough drew her second walk of the night and stole second base. With two outs, Julia Knowler drew a walk, but Macey Cintron popped up to third base on the second pitch to end the threat.
Collins led off the Clemson fourth with a hit to shallow right field, but Burns retired the side with no more damage to end the top half of the inning.
Cintron drew a one-out walk in the top of the sixing, but the Tigers got nothing else, which set up the Lions’ first run in the bottom of the inning.
In the Lions’ sixth, Chloe drew a lead-off walk and moved to second base when Detillier singled to first base. With no outs, Schneider singled up the middle to score Magee for the game’s only run.
Lexie Hames came in for Maness, but a passed ball allowed both runners to move up. Clemson head coach John Rittman brought in Dunning after that, who retired the side to close the inning.
UP NEXT
Clemson will play No. 5 Oregon on Friday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.