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Clemson downs Kentucky, advances to 3rd Super Regional in last 4 seasons
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Clemson is riding an impressive streak of solid NCAA Tournament performances in recent history. Now, the Tigers are hoping this year will be the time to break through to their first Women’s College World Series appearance in program history.
On Sunday, Clemson took a big step toward that goal, taking out Kentucky in the regional championship. After the Tigers rolled to Sunday’s finals with 2 straight wins as the regional host, Kentucky could not mount much of an effort to slow down Clemson.
The game swung dramatically in the 4th inning when Taylor Pipkins added a 2-run shot for the Tigers to make it 3-0. Maddie Moore would add an RBI double to make it 4-0 before the inning ended, and that was all the cushion Clemson would need to finish things off.
Kentucky would get an unearned run in the bottom of the 6th inning, but that would be it for the Wildcats. Clemson’s Reese Basinger started in the circle and went 5.2 innings with 3 strikeouts, and Brooke McCubbin was perfect in relief for Clemson. McCubbin faced 4 batters and recorded 4 outs to slam the door shut on a 5-1 win for Clemson.
The victory gives the Tigers their first Super Regional appearance since 2023 but their 3rd overall since 2022. Now, they’ll head to Austin to face No. 6 seed Texas, which is coming off a 3-0 performance at the Austin Regional.
The Longhorns will not be an easy opponent for anyone. Texas outscored its opponents 35-6 in the regional round and clinched the regionals with a 9-0 win over UCF.
The winner of the best of 3 series between Clemson and Texas will advance to the Women’s College World Series.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
