Clemson uses 8-run 6th inning to down Virginia Tech in ACC Softball Tournament semifinal

Clemson softball roughed out tough conditions to pull off an improbable victory on Friday in the ACC Softball Tournament.

The No. 2-seeded Tigers entered the bottom of the sixth inning with just six outs to spare and faced a seven-run deficit against No. 3 seed Virginia Tech at Harrington Athletics Village in Brighton, Massachusetts. However, Clemson sent 14 hitters to the plate in an eight-run inning to pull off a 10-9 victory over the Hokies to advance to the championship game.

REQUIRED READING: Why Clemson softball can — and cannot — win program’s first ACC Tournament

The Tigers will take on the No. 1 seed in Florida State at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. With Clemson entering the ACC Tournament ranked No. 13 in RPI, a win over the Seminoles could help it earn a top-eight national seed with a chance to host the regional and super regionals.

Here’s a breakdown of the eight-run sixth inning, which propelled the Tigers to a major comeback win:

Clemson softball’s eight-run sixth inning vs Virginia Tech

Following a four-run inning from Virginia Tech in the top of the sixth inning, Clemson faced a 9-2 deficit entering the bottom of the sixth, leaving the Tigers with just six outs from elimination from the tournament.

Jamison Brockenbrough opened the bottom of the frame with a groundout to the second baseman, Rachel Castine. Leadoff hitter Alex Brown singled through the left side, followed by a double by Maddie Moore. Julia Knowler reached on an error as the next batter, plating two runs to cut the deficit to 9-4.

Macey Cintron earned a one-out walk and then Aby Viera grounded unassisted to the first baseman to set up second and third with two outs. From there, with conditions worsening with heavy rain falling from the open sky, Virginia Tech fell apart and Clemson took full advantage.

Marian Collins doubled to left field to plate two more runs, 9-6. The Hokies turned to ace Emma Lemley to get them out of the jam with just one more out. However, Lemley walked Taylor Pipkins and Haylee Whitesides on nine pitches to load the bases.

Brockenbrough and Brown each earned full-count walks to cut the deficit to 9-8. Moore was hit by a pitch with the bases still loaded to even the score at 9, which sent Lemley to an early shower without recording an out. Reliever Sophie Kleiman entered and walked Knowler on a full count and Clemson had its first lead of the game at 10-9.

Cintron struck out swinging on a ball in the dirt on a 3-2 count to end the Tigers’ threat, but Clemson had plated eight runs in the frame on three hits, six walks and a hit by pitch.

Brooke McCubbin worked around a one-out walk to close out the victory for the Tigers, despite the heavy rainfall, to clinch a spot in the championship game for the third time in program history.

Here’s a breakdown of the sixth inning, batter-by-batter:

• Jamison Brockenbrough grounds out to second (1 out)
• Alex Brown single
• Maddie Moore double
• Julia Knowler reaches on fielding errors; Brown and Moore score (VTech leads 9-4)
• Aby Vieira grounds out to first (2 outs)
• Marian Collins doubles to left field; Cintron and Knowler score (VTech leads 9-6)
• Emma Lemley enters for Emma Mazzarone at pitcher for Virginia Tech
• Taylor Pipkins walks
• Haylee Whitesides walks
• Brockenbrough walks; Collins scores (VTech leads 9-7)
• Brown walks; Pipkins scores (VTech leads 9-8)
• Moore hit by pitch; Whitesides scores (Game tied 9-9)
• Sophie Kleiman enters for Emma Lemley at pitcher for Virginia Tech
• Knowler walks; Brockenbrough scores (Clemson leads 10-9)
• Cintron strikes out swinging (3 outs)