Clemson Softball ACC Tournament preview 2025

The Clemson softball team knows its postseason journey begins on Thursday in Boston. But who will the Tigers play in that first game?

We’ll find that out Wednesday evening, after Virginia faces off against Louisville in the ACC tournament -- with the winner advancing to play against the Tigers at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Clemson has had a remarkable season, finishing the regular season 41-12 overall and 19-5 in the ACC to earn the second seed for this week’s tournament.

The Tigers have hit 77 home runs, while giving up just 41. Let's take a look at why this team is deep in talent.

Seniors Drive Clemson Softball's Turnaround in 2025

The team's senior leadership stood out this season with plenty of help from the freshman class, a powerful sophomore and two key transfers to keep the momentum going this season for Clemson’s young program. That came to light as the squad recovered from a 3-6 start to its season. 

Let’s take a look at the key contributions from four of those seniors.

• Maddie Moore: Moore has had an All-America-type season, batting .434 with 15 home runs and 61 RBI.
• Alex Brown: Brown is hitting .431 with 61 runs scored and 34 RBI out of the leadoff spot. 
  
• Aby Vieira: The catcher has had her healthiest season with the program with three home runs and 30 RBI while continuing to be a rock behind the plate, starting every game.
• Brooke McCubbin: The pitcher has stepped into a larger role, going 13-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 31 appearances, including 18 starts. 
  

Julia Knowler Leads Tigers Youth Movement

Add to that core of talent a powerful sophomore: Julia Knowler, who was injured for much of her freshman season. Knowler has come on strong, batting .322 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI and serving as a big piece of Clemson’s power lineup.

Then there are several freshmen who have contributed quickly.

• Marian Collins: She has started every game at shortstop, batting .345 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI, and no Clemson fan will forget her walk-on home run against South Carolina any time soon.  
• Macey Cintron: She has started 52 games, batting .316 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI, and is 8-2 on the mound in 22 appearances, including seven starts. Cintron is one of the game’s rising two-way players.
• Ava Wilson: She has batted .253 with six home runs and 21 RBI, while making 32 starts..
  
• Sam Minish: She has batted .279 while making 29 starts. 
• Taylor Pipkins: She has batted .293 while making 22 starts. 
  

Clemson Transfers Add Big Contributions

Two more new faces have made a big impact as transfers: Jamison Brockenbrough and Reese Basinger.

Brockenbrough has started 51 times and has been stellar in center field while batting .344 with 42 runs scored and solidifying the bottom of the lineup. 

And in her first season with the program, Reese Basinger stepped right into the lead role on the pitching staff with a 16-5 record and 2.99 ERA in 35 appearances, including 26 starts.

A roster that looked shaky to start the season now looks like it could do some real damage this postseason, with all the pieces in sync.

Complete ACC Softball Tournament Schedule

The ACC Network will broadcast all of the games until the championship game, which will be broadcast by ESPN.


Wednesday
Game 1: No. 8 Georgia Tech vs. No. 9 California, 11 a.m. 
Game 2: No. 5 Stanford vs. No. 12 Pitt, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Virginia vs. No. 10 Louisville, 5 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. 


Thursday
Game 5: No. 1 Florida State vs. Game 1 winner, 11 a.m.
Game 6: No. 4 Duke vs. Game 2 winner, 1:30 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Clemson vs. Game 3 winner, 5 p.m. 
Game 8: No. 3 Virginia Tech vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m.


Friday
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3:30 p.m.


Saturday, May 10
Championship: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 2:30 p.m.