NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The No. 25/RV Clemson Tigers scored three runs in the final two innings of play that included a solo home run by sophomore Macey Cintron, to take the opening game, 4-0, against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-17, 2-5 ACC), on Friday night at Melissa Cook Stadium. Friday’s win was the 10th shutout of 2026, which leads the ACC, and improved Clemson to 21-9 (5-2 ACC) on the year.
The Tigers looked to get on the board early after loading the bases with two outs in the second inning off a single and two walks, but the Fighting Irish were able to snuff the momentum with a strikeout to end the inning. That didn’t stop Clemson, who went on to plate the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. After Cintron drew a full-count walk, Taylor Pipkins came in to run and took second on a wild pitch. Kylee Johnson brought Pipkins home on a single down the left-field line to give Clemson the 1-0 edge.
Notre Dame attempted to even things in the fourth and fifth innings after the Fighting Irish got runners around to third in both instances, but the Tigers’ defense continued to force Notre Dame to leave runners on.
Junior Julia Knowler doubled Clemson’s lead in the sixth with an RBI single that scored Sarah Rocheleau. It was the seventh inning though that had Clemson’s bats breaking open, as Cintron notched her third home run of the year with a solo shot out of right center to open the inning. Johnson followed with a triple and scored off an RBI single by Jamison Brockenbrough to push Clemson ahead, 4-0. The Tigers made quick work in the bottom of the inning with a double play and ground out to pick up the win.
Junior Sierra Maness pitched her seventh complete game and third solo shutout to earn her 12th win of the year. She struck out four batters and allowed only three hits on the night. Defensively, the Tigers turned two double plays, which tied for the most in a single game this season.
Up Next
The Tigers continue the series against the Fighting Irish on Saturday, March 21 at 1 p.m. on ACCNX.