Furman shocked 17-ranked Clemson and the softball world at large on Tuesday, April 2. The Paladins moved to an overall season record of 18-18 following this upset.
The Dins started off aggressively, signaling the challenge the Tigers would face throughout the game. To open the second inning, freshman infielder Ansley Chiang and senior outfielder Kaitlyn Laudick hit back-to-back singles. Shortly after, Chiang scored on a bunt from senior infielder Chloe Fabio. Laudick then scored on a wild pitch to put the Dins up 2-0 early on.
Clemson was quick to respond, as the Tigers scored one run in the bottom of the second inning after senior infielder Arielle Oda was walked, advancing all runners and allowing graduate infielder Lindsey Garcia to reach home base. Garcia then flew out in the bottom of the third and created a scoring opportunity for senior outfielder McKenzie Clark.
With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth, senior outfielders Ashlee Lykins and Ainsley Yoshizumi scored on a ground ball by sophomore infielder Kylie Perry.
Junior pitcher Lauralee Scott, who held Clemson to only three runs on six hits, was crucial in the Furman victory. This impressive outing earned her the Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week honors. She went 2-1 on the mound and posted a 3.17 ERA in five appearances.
In the game, Scott pitched her way through the Tiger lineup, allowing only one more run and closing the door on a late Clemson comeback. With this loss, Clemson dropped to an overall record of 24-11 and likely out of the top 20 in the rankings.
Lykins and sophomore catcher Sylvia Burroughs both went one-for-three at the plate, and each had a single and a walk. Fabio also had an RBI and stolen base for the Dins.
Next up, Furman will head to Macon, Ga. to play the Mercer Bears 15-18, (4-2 SoCon) in a three-game series on April 6 and 7. Mercer is currently third in the SoCon, one spot ahead of Furman. The Dins will battle against the Bears in a doubleheader on Saturday with game one slated for 2 p.m. The Dins will wrap up the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. All games will be streamed on ESPN+.
