No. 5 Clemson softball wins 13th game by run rule, beats South Carolina in Palmetto Series

CLEMSON — No. 5 Clemson softball run-ruled its 13th opponent of the season Tuesday, beating South Carolina 8-0 in five innings at McWhorter Stadium. It was the Tigers' second consecutive run-rule win and third in four games. Clemson has now won 15 games by shutout.

The Tigers (33-1) moved to 4-0 all-time against the Gamecocks (24-8). In the four matchups over three seasons, Clemson has outscored South Carolina 27-2.

Clemson and South Carolina will have a rematch Apr. 11, when the Tigers travel to Columbia.

"This team has a lot of leadership and a lot of experience now going into these big rivalry games," Clemson coach John Rittman said. "We have definitely gotten up for this game in the last couple of years and played very well."

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Clemson's big fourth inning

The Tigers entered the fourth inning leading 3-0. They scored seven in the frame, five of them on batted balls.

South Carolina let the first run score on a fielding error by pitcher Leah Powell. An RBI single by third baseman Reedy Davenport chased Powell.

After a pitching change, Gamecock right-hander Bailey Betenbaugh hit back-to-back batters to load the bases, then walked in a run.

A sac fly by Caroline Jacobsen and a three-run home run by Alia Logoleo rounded out the Tigers' scoring. The homer to left with two strikes was Logoleo's sixth of the season.

"I had a feeling (Betenbaugh) was going to come back with her changeup," Logoleo said. "That was what she was a little bit more comfortable with when she first came in, and I just sat back and put my best swing on it."

Logoleo was 2-for-3 on the day with four RBIs and a run. She had an outstanding play on defense, too, making a diving grab for the first out of the third inning.

Valerie Cagle leads Tigers

Shortly before Tuesday's game, Clemson utility/pitcher Valerie Cagle was named Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week and ACC Co-Player of the Week. She continued her dominant stretch against the Gamecocks both in the circle and at the plate.

Cagle threw five scoreless innings and allowed one hit, one walk and had five strikeouts. As a hitter, she went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a walk. In the bottom of the third, she hit her 12th home run of the season. The solo shot to center was her fourth homer in as many games.

Clemson shows off speed

Clemson entered Tuesday ranked No. 24 in the country in stolen bases per game (2.06). Against South Carolina, the Tigers swiped four bags, bringing their season total to 68.

Pinch-runner Julia Bomhardt added to her team-high stolen base count when she stole second in the fourth inning. She now has 15 on the year. Left fielder Ally Miklesh stole her 11th base, also in the fourth inning. Cagle and Logoleo also contributed to Clemson's four steals.

"I think that speed played a factor in the game tonight," Rittman said. "(We) put a lot of pressure on them defensively with the stolen bases and just hustling all over the field, and that's nice to see."

Up next

Clemson travels to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, to face Boston College in a three-game series Friday-Sunday.

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This article originally appeared on Greenville News: No. 5 Clemson softball beats South Carolina by run rule