Clemson Run Rules Gamecocks in Columbia

Clemson got its third win over an SEC opponent this season on Wednesday, but this one was bigger than the other two just because of who it was.

The Tigers got got three hits and two RBIs from Julia Knowler, while pitcher Sierra Maness continues to get stronger in the circle, as Clemson run-ruled archrival South Carolina, 8-0, at Carolina Softball Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

Clemson (23-10) improved to 8-2 all-time against the Gamecocks, including 5-1 in Columbia. The Tigers are 3-3 vs. the SEC, all against ranked opponents.

Knowler, who has come on as of late, continued with her hot bat in Columbia on Wednesday night. The redshirt junior was 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs. She had an RBI single in the first inning to get Clemson going, and then another in the sixth inning that helped the Tigers run-rule South Carolina for the second time in 10 meetings.

Macey Cintron also had a big night for the Tigers. She was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs as well. Second baseman Marian Collins also drove in a run, as did Kiley Channell, Sarah Breaux and Kylee Johnson.

In the circle, Maness limited the 24th-ranked Gamecocks (21-13) to four hits in a shutout performance. She struck out four batters and walked one. She was named ACC Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday for her performances in last week’s wins.

Maness improved to 14-3 in the circle this season.

The Tigers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, as Channell, Cintron and Knowler all drove in runs with base hits, while Johnson drew a bases loaded walk to score the fourth run of the inning.

Cintron’s RBI smack to centerfield gave the Tigers a 5-0 lead in the second inning. In the fourth inning, Collins got a base knock to score Jamison Brockenbrough for a 6-0 lead.

Breaux made it 7-0 in the fifth inning with an RBI single, while Knowler drove in her second run with a double to centerfield in the top of the sixth inning. Clemson finished the night with 13 hits overall, but Knowler’s double was the only extra base hit for the Tigers.

UP NEXT

Clemson hosts No. 10 Florida State on Friday (6 p.m.) in Game 1 of a crucial three-game ACC series with the Seminoles.