CLEMSON – Corri Hicks blasted a two-run homer and Clemson pitchers combined for a one-run shut down as the Tigers claimed their fifth ACC series victory with a 3-1 win over No. 18 Virginia at McWhorter Stadium Saturday.

Hicks’ home run marked her 10th of the year and the sixth against Power Four competition. The blast brought the Tigers to four home runs in the series from three different players, and, ultimately, helped clinch four consecutive wins over the Cavaliers, dating back to 2025.

Leadoff hitter Jamison Brockenbrough added an insurance run in the fifth with a single, a stolen base, and a wild pitch, increasing her hit streak to nine games. 

Despite only having three hits as an offense compared to Friday night’s 16, the Tigers’ pitching performance gave their offense little reason for stress.

In the circle, Abby Dunning and Macey Cintron combined to allow only three hits from the Cavaliers, a team that averaged almost eight per game entering Saturday’s matchup. The pitching performances secured the Tigers’ fourth time giving up one or fewer runs in ACC-play.

With the win, the Tigers (28-17, 11-9 ACC) are now 15-2 all-time against Virginia, and have secured five series wins over the Cavaliers in seven seasons of existence as a program. The Tigers also surpassed the Cavaliers for the sixth position in ACC standings.

For Virginia (33-10, 10-9 ACC) Jade Hylton, singlehandedly got the offense started in the first. She opened the first frame by drawing a walk after a nine-pitch at-bat, and stole second. A sacrifice groundout bumped her over to third, but two quick popups left her stranded, along with one other baserunner.

After a scoreless, three-strikeout frame for the Tigers in the first, the bottom of Clemson’s order got it going in the second.

With two strikes and one out, third baseman Sarah Breaux, fresh off of a two home-run game, was hit by a pitch. Next up, catcher Corri Hicks took the first pitch she saw deep, and blasted her 10th home run of the year at 77 miles-per-hour for a 2-0 Tigers lead.

It marked the second time in the series that Clemson took the lead first.

Hylton doubled in the second, and two walks loaded the bases, but Dunning got out of the jam with a strikeout and a Pavese foul out catch halfway in the dugout.

After walking two more to open the fourth, Cintron came into the circle in relief for Dunning. Dunning finished her day with no earned runs, one hit, one strikeout, and six walks– tied for a season-high. Cintron got out of the jam with a pop up, an intentional walk to load the bases, and a flyout, bringing the Cavaliers’ left-on-base count to eight on the day.

The Tigers got the offense going again in the bottom of the frame when Collins drew a one-out walk, and Breaux sent her to third with a double down the third base line. Collins’ pinch runner, Kennedy Arial, was thrown out at home for out two, and left fielder Kylee Johnson struck out to end the inning and strand Clemson’s third baserunner of the day.

Clemson added an insurance run in the sixth when Brockenbrough added to her hit streak with a single to the shortstop, stole her seventh base of the season, and scored on a wild pitch.

Two more solid frames from Cintron gave her and the Tigers the win, though Virginia plated one late in the top of the seventh to avoid the shutout.

Breaux, Brockenbrough, and Hicks made up the Tigers three hits, and first baseman Mac Pavese and second baseman Marian Collins drew a combined three walks. Clemson left four runners stranded

HICKS STRIKES AGAIN

In one of the other two ACC shutouts from the Tigers, Hicks, again, was the one to secure the winning shot with a walk-off home run. She has now hit home runs against three ranked opponents, and leads the team with 35 RBIs this season. Pavese follows closely behind with 34.

CINTRON IN THE CIRCLE

After recovering from an injury earlier in the season, Cintron is now fully ready to function as a two-way player again, and she has shown it clearly in the last week. The right-hander has made six appearances since April 10, maintaining an Earned Run Average of 1.96 in that time. She has not allowed any runs or hits in her last two appearances.

HITTING FOR THE ‘HOOS

Virginia finished just 2-for-20 Saturday, and were 0-for-8 with runners on base. Clemson still struggled with three hits and just a .143 average, but were able to hit .250 with runners on and only left five on base to Virginia’s 10.

UP NEXT

The Tigers will host the Cavaliers one more time tomorrow for a possible sweep at McWhorter Stadium. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.