TUSCALOOSA, AL – No. 21 Clemson erupted for five runs in the sixth inning on their way to an 8-0 run-rule win over USC Upstate on Saturday in an elimination game in the Tuscaloosa Regional at Rhoads Stadium. With the win, the second-seeded Tigers improved to 35-18 and stay alive while fourth-seeded USC Upstate sees their season end at 30-23. 

After three scoreless innings, Clemson started the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Julia Knowler drew a leadoff walk and pinch runner Kennedy Ariail moved up two bases on ground outs before scoring on a RBI single by Arielle Oda for a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers plated two more runs in the fifth inning. Alex Brown started things with a double before scoring on a RBI double by Maddie Moore. Moore would come in to score on a two-out error for a 3-0 advantage.

Following a 3-hour, 22-minute rain/lightning delay, Clemson came out on fire in the sixth inning. Brown plated the first run with a RBI single before a sac fly by Moore extended the lead to 5-0. Lindsey Garcia brought another run in on a RBI single before Alia Logoleo topped the inning off with a two-run double for the 8-0 lead.

Clemson starter Regan Spencer (11-4) earned the win with 5.0 scoreless innings of two-hit ball while Millie Thompson retired all three batters she faced. USC Upstate starter Maddie Drerup (10-10) suffered the loss after allowing one run on four hits in 4.0 innings. 

The Tigers finished the game with 10 hits, led by Brown, Moore, and Oda with two each, while the Spartans were held to two hits in the contest.

Clemson is back in action later Saturday as they faced third-seeded SE Louisiana at 8:55 p.m. in another elimination game in the Tuscaloosa Regional.

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