PITTSBURGH (theACC.com) - Third-seeded Florida State scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to erase a one-run deficit and defeat fifth-seeded Clemson, 8-6, Saturday afternoon to win the 2022 ACC Softball Championship at Vartabedian Field.
Florida State wins their 18th overall ACC Championship and seventh in the last eight years the event has been held. The Seminoles improve to 52-5 on the year, while Clemson moves to 39-15. Saturday’s game was the first meeting between the teams in the ACC Championship, since the Tigers first season in 2020.
“Really proud of our team,” said Florida State head coach Lonni Alameda. ”We’ve been talking about fight all season long and the next man-up mentality, so it was really cool to see that come to fruition today. Twenty-one outs and you have to figure out how to get them on day three.
“That’s a really good Clemson team and I’m really proud of our conference. It was a tough game yesterday and a tough game today, so I think we (the ACC) will do really well in postseason. Excited for Florida State to hoist the trophy again. We have a goal at the end of the season, and this is part of our process and we’re really excited about what’s next for us.”
Both teams had some nerves early, as the first inning a pair of miscues defensively by each team. Clemson plated the game’s first run, as Cammy Pereira scored from first on an infield single from McKenzie Clark and throwing error. Florida State answered in the bottom of the inning after and RBI single from Kalei Harding and a two-run single by Devyn Flaherty to give the Seminoles a 3-1 lead.
Harding was named to the ACC Championship MVP after going 5-for-8 at the plate during the week with three home runs, five RBI and five runs.
The Tigers answered in their next at-bat to regain the lead, 4-3. Carlee Shannon scored on a sacrifice fly from Maddie Moore and McKenzie Clark doubled down the left field line to push across two more runs. Harding homered in the bottom of the second to knot the score at 4-4.
After a scoreless third inning, Sam Russ hit a solo homer to right center to put Clemson back on top, 5-4, on her fourth homer of the year.
“Obviously, a very tough loss today against a very good team,” said Clemson head coach John Rittman. “So close again, but just didn’t make the plays when we needed to make them today. I’m so proud of our team and their effort.
“What impresses me the most about this team is that we never give up and just keep fighting. Today was a classic example of that.”
A big sixth inning proved to be the difference, as Florida State scored four times in the frame to take an 8-5 lead. Kaley Mudge hit a sacrifice fly to center field and Mack Leonard followed with a three-run homer to center field to push the Seminoles lead to three. The graduate student crushed a 1-2 pitch for her 13th homer of the year.
ACC teams will now turn their attention to the NCAA Softball Selection Show, which is set for Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.