SOUTH BEND, Ind. (theACC.com) – Clemson took down North Carolina, 2-1, in eight innings in Thursday’s last quarterfinal of the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Softball Championship Tournament at Melissa Cook Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Third-seeded Clemson advances to Friday’s second semifinal game against No. 2 Duke set for 1:30 p.m.

The extra inning game was the first of the ACC Tournament since 2010 when Virginia Tech beat Virginia, 1-0, in eight innings.

Clemson was first on the board with an Ally Miklesh RBI single to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third, but the Tar Heels answered in the top of the fourth with an RBI single from Skyler Brooks to knot the score at 1-1.

In the bottom of the eighth, Miklesh doubled to left center off the first pitch, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored off a wild pitch to end the game, leading the Tigers to their third straight semifinals appearance.

Valerie Cagle earned the win in the circle, throwing a complete game with 12 strikeouts and allowing only three hits and one run.

Due to forecasted storms in the South Bend area, tomorrow's semifinal between Duke and Clemson has been moved up to 1:30 p.m. 

2023 ACC Softball Championship Schedule
Wednesday, May 10
Game 1: #9 Syracuse 8, #8 Virginia 2
Game 2: #10 Georgia Tech 8, #7 Notre Dame 1

Thursday, May 11
Game 3: #1 Florida State 4, #9 Syracuse 1
Game 4: #4 Louisville 10, #5 Virginia Tech 8
Game 5: #2 Duke 7, #10 Georgia Tech 1
Game 6: #3 Clemson 2, #6 North Carolina 1 (8 inn.)

Friday, May 12
Game 7: #1 Florida State vs. #5 Virginia Tech, 11 a.m., ACCN
Game 8: #2 Duke vs. #3 Clemson, 1:30 p.m., ACCN

Saturday, May 13
Game 9: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 1 p.m., ESPN2