Brighton, Mass.— Clemson softball made history Saturday afternoon at Harrington Athletics Village, earning its first-ever ACC Championship title with a dramatic 2-1 victory over powerhouse Florida State.
The defining moment came in the top of the seventh inning when Kylee Johnson blasted a go-ahead two-run homer, lifting the Tigers to a stunning comeback win and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Trailing 1-0 entering the final frame and having been held to just two hits over six innings, Clemson broke through when Florida State starter Julia Apsel issued a leadoff walk to Marian Collins. That brought in freshman reliever Jazzy Francik, who struck out the first batter she faced before Johnson crushed a 2-2 pitch over the outfield fence to flip the script.
The win marked several milestones for Clemson: their first ACC tournament title, their first-ever victory over Florida State, and the first time the Seminoles had lost a game this season after leading through six innings. Florida State entered the day 30-0 in such situations.
Clemson’s offense had been stifled early on by a dominant pitching effort from the Seminoles. Apsel and Danley combined for seven strikeouts and allowed only two hits and five walks through the first six innings.
In the bottom of the seventh, Florida State made one last push. Brooke McCubbin allowed the first two batters to reach base, but the Clemson pitcher responded with poise, retiring Jahni Kerr, Katie Dack, and Michaela Edenfield in succession to slam the door on the Seminoles’ title hopes.
With the win, Clemson secures its place in the NCAA Tournament and cements its status as an emerging force in ACC softball.
