2021 Clemson Tigers softball team

American college softball season

2021 Clemson Tigers softball
ACC regular-season champions
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 18
Record44–8 (29–5 ACC)
Head coach
  • John Rittman (2nd season)
Assistant coaches
  • Kyle Jamieson
  • Courtney Breault
Home stadiumMcWhorter Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Atlantic Coast Conference softball standings
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 Conf Overall
Team W   L   T   PCT W   L   T   PCT
No. 18 Clemson  ‍†‍‍y 29 – 5 – 0   .853 44 – 8 – 0   .846
No. 2 Florida State  ‍‍‍y 26 – 5 – 1   .828 49 – 12 – 1   .798
No. 20 Duke  ‍‍‡‍y 26 – 10 – 0   .722 44 – 12 – 0   .786
No. 14 Virginia Tech  ‍‍‍y 23 – 11 – 0   .676 37 – 15 – 0   .712
Notre Dame  ‍‍‍y 20 – 10 – 0   .667 33 – 15 – 0   .688
Louisville  ‍‍‍ 15 – 21 – 1   .419 21 – 28 – 1   .430
NC State  ‍‍‍ 15 – 22 – 0   .405 26 – 25 – 0   .510
Syracuse  ‍‍‍ 12 – 20 – 0   .375 20 – 24 – 0   .455
Georgia Tech  ‍‍‍ 11 – 19 – 0   .367 20 – 26 – 0   .435
North Carolina  ‍‍‍ 10 – 19 – 0   .345 14 – 26 – 0   .350
Pittsburgh  ‍‍‍ 12 – 24 – 0   .333 17 – 29 – 0   .370
Virginia  ‍‍‍ 10 – 27 – 0   .270 15 – 33 – 0   .313
Boston College  ‍‍‍ 8 – 24 – 0   .250 13 – 32 – 0   .289
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of June 15, 2021[1]
Rankings from NFCA/USA Today


The 2021 Clemson Tigers softball team is the varsity college softball team that represented Clemson University during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. This was the second season of Clemson's softball program. The Tigers competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and were led by head coach John Rittman. Clemson played its home games at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

The Tigers finished their first full season as a program 44–8 and 29–5 in ACC play to finish in first place and claim the regular season championship. As the first seed in the ACC tournament, they defeated Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech before losing to Duke in the Final. They earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and were placed into the Tuscaloosa Regional. There they defeated Troy twice, but lost to Alabama twice to end their season.

The team was led by Valerie Cagle who finished with 28 wins and 15 home runs. Cagle was named to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year top 10 finalist list.[2] She also won ACC Player and Freshman of the year while head coach John Rittman was named ACC Coach of the Year.[3] Cagle and outfielder McKenzie Clark were named to the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association All-Region Southeast teams, with Cagle being named to the first team and Clark being named to the second team.[4] Cagle would later be selected to the NFCA All-American Second Team, marking Clemson's first All-American in program history.[5]

Previous season

The 2020 season was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. On March 12, it was announced that the 2020 NCAA tournament would be canceled due to the pandemic.[6] Clemson University suspended all events until April 5, 2020.[7] On March 17, the ACC cancelled all spring athletic activities and thereby ended the softball season.[8] The Tigers finished the season 19–8 and 5–1 in ACC play.

Personnel

Roster

2021 Clemson Tigers roster[9]

Pitchers

  • 10 – Emma Whitfield – Redshirt Freshman
  • 17 – Regan Spencer – Freshman
  • 34 – Logan Caymol – Redshirt Freshman

Utility

  • 9 – Sarah Howell (C/UTL) – Freshman
  • 12 – Cammy Pereira (INF/OF) – Redshirt Junior
  • 15 – Madison May (INF/OF) – Redshirt Freshman
  • 19 – Jaden Cheek (INF/UTL) – Freshman
  • 24 – Arielle Oda (INF/OF) – Redshirt Freshman
  • 25 – Marissa Guimbarda (OF/UTL) – Redshirt Junior
  • 26 – Carsten Puckett (P/IF) – Freshman
  • 27 – Grace Mattimore (C/UTL) – Redshirt Junior
  • 72 – Valerie Cagle (P/UTL) – Redshirt Freshman
  • 87 – Millie Thompson (P/INF) – Freshman
  

Catchers

  • 13 – Abi Stuart – Redshirt Freshman
  • 23 – JoJo Hyatt – Redshirt Freshman

Outfielders

  • 6 – Carlee Shannon – Redshirt Freshman
  • 7 – McKenzie Clark – Freshman
  • 16 – Alia Logoleo – Redshirt Freshman
  • 42 – Morgan Johnson – Redshirt Freshman

Infielders

  • 2 – Casey Bigham – Redshirt Senior
  • 3 – Ansley Houston – Freshman
  • 8 – Ansley Gilstrap – Redshirt Senior
  • 18 – Bailey Taylor – Redshirt Junior
  • 58 – Kyah Keller – Redshirt Freshman
  • 77 – Hannah Goodwin – Redshirt Freshman

Coaches

2021 Clemson Tigers softball coaching staff[10]
  • John Rittman – Head coach – 2nd season
  • Kyle Jamieson – Assistant coach – 2nd season
  • Courtney Breault – Assistant coach – 2nd season
  • Reese Jacobs – Volunteer assistant coach – 2nd season

Schedule

Legend
  Clemson win
  Clemson loss
  Cancellation
Bold Clemson team member
* Non-Conference game
† Make-Up Game
2021 Clemson Tigers softball game log[11]
Regular season
February (9–2)
Date Opponent Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall record ACC record
Feb 12 vs Illinois State* Pruitt Softball Complex • Jacksonville, FL W 11–0 (5) Cagle (1–0) Leonard (0–1) — 50 1–0 –
Feb 12 vs North Florida* Pruitt Softball Complex • Jacksonville, FL W 4–3 Spencer (1–0) Dyhr (0–1) Cagle (1) 59 2–0 –
Feb 13 vs Illinois State* Pruitt Softball Complex • Jacksonville, FL Canceled[12]
Feb 14 at Jacksonville* Pruitt Softball Complex • Jacksonville, FL Canceled[12]
Feb 18 No. 14 Virginia Tech McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 8–1 Cagle (2–0) Rochard (2–1) — 234 3–0 1–0
Feb 19 No. 14 Virginia Tech McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC L 0–9 (5) Rosenberry (2–0) Cagle (2–1) None 372 3–1 1–1
Feb 19 No. 14 Virginia Tech McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC L 1–4 Rochard (3–1) Thompson (0–1) None 372 3–2 1–2
Feb 20 at Georgia Tech Shirley Clements Mewborn Field • Atlanta, GA W 5–2 Cagle (3–1) Neleman (3–2) None 88 4–2 2–2
Feb 21 at Georgia Tech Shirley Clements Mewborn Field • Atlanta, GA W 5–3 Spencer (2–0) McPherson (0–2) Thompson (1) 88 5–2 3–2
Feb 21 at Georgia Tech Shirley Clements Mewborn Field • Atlanta, GA W 5–4 Cagle (4–1) Ray (1–1) None 88 6–2 4–2
Feb 27 Elon* McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 3–0 Cagle (5–1) Quinn (2–1) None 372 7–2 4–2
Feb 27 Elon McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 10–0 (5) Spencer (3–0) Nemeth (0–1) None 372 8–2 4–2
Feb 28 Elon McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 8–0 (5) Cagle (6–1) McKenzie (0–1) None 372 9–2 4–2
March (13–2)
Date Rank Opponent Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall record ACC record
Mar 5 at Virginia Palmer Park • Charlottesville, VA W 9–1 (5) Cagle (7–1) Murphy (1–1) None 117 10–2 5–2
Mar 6 at Virginia Palmer Park • Charlottesville, VA W 5–3 Whitfield (1–0) Wooten (1–1) Cagle (2) 0 11–2 6–2
Mar 6 at Virginia Palmer Park • Charlottesville, VA W 4–2 Spencer (4–0) Grube (0–1) Cagle (3) 145 12–2 7–2
Mar 7 at Virginia Palmer Park • Charlottesville, VA W 8–1 Cagle (8–1) Houge (2–2) None 148 13–2 8–2
Mar 12 No. 25 Furman* McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 8–0 (6) Cagle (9–1) Tufts (3–4) None 372 14–2 8–2
Mar 13 No. 25 Furman* McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 5–0 Thompson (1–1) Tufts (3–5) None 372 15–2 8–2
Mar 13 No. 25 Furman* McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 8–1 Cagle (10–1) Basso (0–3) None 372 16–2 8–2
Mar 19 No. 23 at Louisville Ulmer Stadium • Louisville, KY W 4–0 (11) Cagle (11–1) Leonhardt (0–3) None 134 17–2 9–2
Mar 20 No. 23 at Louisville Ulmer Stadium • Louisville, KY W 2–1 Thompson (2–1) Roby (5–4) None 0 18–2 10–2
Mar 20 No. 23 at Louisville Ulmer Stadium • Louisville, KY W 6–1 Spencer (5–0) Holloway (3–3) None 234 19–2 11–2
Mar 21 No. 23 at Louisville Ulmer Stadium • Louisville, KY W 4–2 Cagle (12–1) Roby (5–5) None 317 20–2 12–2
Mar 26 No. 20 No. 11 Duke McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC L 0–2 St. George (11–0) Cagle (12–2) None 372 20–3 12–3
Mar 26 No. 20 No. 11 Duke McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC L 1–3 Walters (10–0) Cagle (12–3) None 372 20–4 12–4
Mar 27 No. 20 No. 11 Duke McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 4–1 Cagle (13–3) St. George (11–1) None 372 21–4 13–4
Mar 28 No. 20 No. 11 Duke McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 4–2 Thompson (3–1) Walters (10–1) Cagle (4) 372 22–4 14–4
April (15–0)
Date Rank Opponent Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall record ACC record
Apr 1 No. 18 North Carolina McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 4–1 Cagle (14–3) Pickett (8–5) None 372 23–4 15–4
Apr 2 No. 18 North Carolina McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 6–1 Thompson (4–1) Pickett (8–6) None 372 24–4 16–4
Apr 2 No. 18 North Carolina McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 12–1 (5) Cagle (15–3) Olinger (0–2) 'None 372 25–4 17–4
Apr 3 No. 18 North Carolina McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 9–1 (6) Cagle (16–3) Olinger (0–3) None 372 26–4 18–4
Apr 9 No. 18 at Notre Dame Melissa Cook Stadium • Notre Dame, IN Postponed due to COVID-19[13]
Apr 10 No. 18 at Notre Dame Melissa Cook Stadium • Notre Dame, IN
Apr 10 No. 18 at Notre Dame Melissa Cook Stadium • Notre Dame, IN
Apr 11 No. 18 at Notre Dame Melissa Cook Stadium • Notre Dame, IN
Apr 13 No. 17 Winthrop* McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 9–0 (5) Cagle (17–3) Watson (11–9) None 372 27–4 18–4
Apr 13 No. 17 Winthrop* McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 6–2 Thompson (5–1) Weixlmann (7–7) None 372 28–4 18–4
Apr 16 No. 17 Boston College McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 6–0 Cagle (18–3) Anderson (5–12) None 372 29–4 19–4
Apr 17 No. 17 Boston College McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 10–2 (6) Thompson (6–1) Anderson (5–13) None 372 30–4 20–4
Apr 17 No. 17 Boston College McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 4–3 (9) Cagle (19–3) Anderson (5–14) None 372 31–4 21–4
Apr 18 No. 17 Boston College McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 6–0 Cagle (20–3) Schnackenberg (2–1) None 372 32–4 22–4
Apr 21 No. 16 at South Carolina* Beckham Field • Columbia, SC W 6–0 Cagle (21–3) Drotar (3–6) None 400 33–4 22–4
Apr 23 No. 16 NC State McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 9–3 Cagle (22–3) Czech (3–3) None 474 34–4 23–4
Apr 23 No. 16 NC State McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 4–3 Spencer (6–0) Nester (7–7) None 474 35–4 24–4
Apr 25 No. 16 NC State McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 4–3 Cagle (23–3) Trahan (11–6) None 474 36–4 25–4
Apr 25 No. 16 NC State McWhorter Stadium • Clemson, SC W 4–3 Thompson (7–1) Czech (3–4) Cagle (5) 474 37–4 26–4
May (3–1)
Date Rank Opponent Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall record ACC record
May 7 No. 13 at Syracuse Skytop Softball Stadium • Syracuse,NY W 4–2 Cagle (24–3) Romero (7–9) None 23 38–4 27–4
May 8 No. 13 at Syracuse Skytop Softball Stadium • Syracuse,NY W 4–2 Thompson (8–1) Hendrix (3–3) Spencer (1) 24 39–4 28–4
May 8 No. 13 at Syracuse Skytop Softball Stadium • Syracuse,NY L 6–7 Romero (8–9) Cagle (24–4) None 24 39–5 28–5
May 9 No. 13 at Syracuse Skytop Softball Stadium • Syracuse,NY W 19–2 Thompson (9–1) Oliver (7–10) None 29 40–5 28–5
Postseason
ACC tournament (2–1)
Date Seed Rank Opponent Opponent Seed Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall record Tournament record
May 13 1 No. 13 Georgia Tech 9 Ulmer Stadium • Louisville, KY W 2–0 Cagle (25–4) Neleman (12–8) None 276 41–5 1–0
May 14 1 No. 13 No. 20 Virginia Tech 4 Ulmer Stadium • Louisville, KY W 2–0 Cagle (26–4) Rochard (25–8) None 328 42–5 2–0
May 15 1 No. 13 No. 21 Duke 3 Ulmer Stadium • Louisville, KY L 0–1 Walters (17–3) Cagle (26–5) St. George (4) 485 42–6 2–1
NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional (2–2)
Date Opponent Seed Opponent Seed Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall record NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Record
May 21 3 vs. Troy 2 No. 13 Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL W 8–0 (5) Cagle (27–5) Leanna (20–8) None 2,912 43–6 1–0
May 22 1 at No. 3 Alabama 2 No. 13 Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL L 0–6 Fouts (23–3) Cagle (27–6) None 2,987 43–7 1–1
May 22 3 vs. Troy 2 No. 13 Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL W 4–2 Cagle (28–6) Baker (7–6) None 2,987 44–7 2–1
May 23 1 at No. 3 Alabama 2 No. 13 Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL L 0–5 Fouts (24–3) Cagle (28–7) None 3,044 44–8 2–2

Note: All rankings shown are from the NFCA/USA Today poll.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes т = Tied with team above or below
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
NFCA / USA Today—RVRVRV2523201818171613т13131313*18
Softball America————24222120191916131313142222
ESPN.com/USA Softball—RVRVRVRV2525191818161311101010*17
D1Softball———25252523232019181515161717*19

* Softball America released a poll on May 25, 2021, during the NCAA tournament while all other polls did not release a poll. Pre-tournament rankings for NCFA, USA, and D1 Softball are shown for week 15 rankings.

References

  1. ^ "2021 ACC Softball Standings". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Top 10 Finalists named for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year". teamusa.org. USA Softball. May 5, 2021. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  3. ^ "ACC Softball Announces 2021 Individual Awards". theacc.com. The Atlantic Coast Conference. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  4. ^ "2021 All-Region Awards". nfca.org. National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "Valerie Cagle earns All-American honors". Tigernet.com. Clemson University Athletics. June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships". NCAA.org. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  7. ^ "Clemson online instruction through at least Sunday, April 5; all events suspended". clemson.edu. Clemson University. March 15, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "ACC Cancels All Athletic Activities Through End of 2019-20 Academic Year". theacc.com. The Atlantic Coast Conference. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  9. ^ "Softball Roster". Clemson Tigers. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  10. ^ "Staff Directory". Clemson Tigers. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  11. ^ "2020-21 Softball SCHEDULE". clemsontigers.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Softball's Remaining Games at River City Leadoff Canceled". clemsontigers.com. Clemson Athletics. February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  13. ^ "Tigers' Series at Notre Dame Postponed". clemsontigers.com. Clemson Athletics Department. April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
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