Brighton, Mass.— No. 2 seed Clemson mounted an incredible eight-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase a seven-run deficit and edge No. 3 seed Virginia Tech, 10-9, in a dramatic semifinal clash at the 2025 ACC Softball Championship. With the win, Clemson advances to the title game, where they’ll face top-seeded Florida State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN.
Trailing 9-2 with two outs in the sixth, the Tigers ignited an improbable comeback, fueled by a combination of timely hitting and critical mistakes by the Hokies. Virginia Tech’s pitching staff issued 13 walks over the course of the game—including six in the fateful sixth inning alone—and hit a batter to hand Clemson the tying run. Julia Knowler then drew the go-ahead walk, capping off a wild eight-run frame that put the Tigers on top for good.
Clemson, now in its third ACC Championship Game appearance and first since a loss to Florida State in the 2022 final, was led offensively by Aby Vieira and Taylor Pipkins, who each tallied two hits. Knowler and Marian Collins drove in two runs apiece to power the Tigers’ rally, as Clemson managed seven total hits and eight RBIs in the win.
Virginia Tech looked firmly in control for most of the game, building a 9-2 lead and appearing poised to cruise into the championship. But the wheels came off in the sixth, as walks and control issues opened the door for Clemson’s comeback.
Now, the Tigers will meet Florida State in a highly anticipated title matchup between the top two seeds in the tournament. The championship game is officially sold out.
2025 ACC Softball Championship Schedule (All Times Eastern)
Wednesday, May 7
Game 1: #8 Georgia Tech 8, #9 California 0
Game 2: #5 Stanford 9, #12 Pitt 2
Game 3: #7 Virginia 3, #10 Louisville 2
Game 4: #6 North Carolina 2, #11 Notre Dame 0
Thursday, May 8
Game 5: #1 Florida State 8, #8 Georgia Tech 0
Game 6: #4 Duke 7, #5 Stanford 0
Game 7: #2 Clemson 7, #7 Virginia 4
Game 8: #3 Virginia Tech 4, #6 North Carolina 0
Friday, May 9
Game 9: #1 Florida State 3, #4 Duke 2
Game 10: #2 Clemson 10, #3 Virginia Tech 9
Saturday, May 10
Championship Game: #1 Florida State vs. #2 Clemson | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
