Big Inning, Errors Cost Virginia in 12-3 Loss

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson (14-7, 3-0 ACC) scored seven times in the bottom of the third to pull away from Virginia (8-8, 0-3 ACC) and complete the series sweep with a 12-3 win in six innings on Sunday (March 3).
 
Donna Friedman (Orange, Calif.) and Mikaila Fox (Ocean Springs, Miss.) each went 2-for-3 to lead Virginia at the plate.
 
Clemson was powered by seven RBI from pitcher Valerie Cagle, who hit a grand slam and three-run homer in the game.

KEY INNING
Clemson score seven times in the third, taking advantage of three Virginia errors. Marissa Guimbarda reached on a throwing error to open the inning before a single put two Tigers aboard. MK Bonamy gave Clemson the lead with a three-run shot to right center. A walk, error and single followed to load the bases again with no outs. With two outs, Cagle launched a grand slam to extend the lead to 8-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia jumped to the early lead with a run in the top of the first. Savana Avilla (Phoenix, Ariz.) singled to open the game and stole second to move into scoring position. With two outs, Friedman singled over the third-base bag to drive in Avilla.
 
Clemson responded in the second, using three, two-out singles to tie the game. Cammy Pereira had the RBI with a single through the left side to knot it up at 1-1.
 
The Tigers broke the game open in the third using four hits to score seven times. Virginia committed three errors in the frame leading to five unearned runs.
 
Virginia threatened in the fifth, loading the bases with no outs on singles from Mikaila Fox (Ocean Springs, Miss.) and Bailey Winscott (Clinton, Miss.) and a walk. Clemson escaped the threat with a pop-up and double play to end the inning.
 
The Cavaliers would narrow the gap in the sixth, scoring twice on two hits. Katie Goldberg (Atlanta, Ga.) walked and moved to second on a Friedman single. A wild pitch allowed both runners to advance before Madi Traver (Coppell, Texas) brought home one with a groundout and Ashley Jennings (Forest, Va.) followed with an RBI-single.
 
Clemson ended the game in the sixth when Cagle hit her second home run of the day, a three-run shot to make the final 12-3.

ON THE LINES
• Friedman’s RBI-single extended her hitting streak to 11 games.
• Fox went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.
• Traver recorded her first RBI of the season.
• Jennings finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk.
 
UP NEXT
Virginia opens its new stadium, Palmer Park, on Tuesday (March 3) against James Madison. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. on ACCNX.