Panthers Drop Heartbreaker to No. 6 Clemson on Walk-Off Bunt

Friday, April 21

Clemson, SC

6 PM

Pitt

21-20, 0

Clemson

42-5, 0

Pittsburgh

Clemson

Panthers Drop Heartbreaker to No. 6 Clemson on Walk-Off Bunt

4/21/2023 9:57:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – Pitt came out strong against No. 6 Clemson and looked to pick up another ranked win of the season but could not overcome the Tigers in the seventh inning. Dani Drogemuller and Kayla Lane powered the Panthers to a 2-1 lead but fell to the Tigers, 3-2, on a walk-off bunt from Jojo Hyatt at McWhorter Stadium, Friday night.

Despite suffering the loss, Drogemuller helped lead the Panthers with a solid performance in the circle. The Frankfort, Ill. native held the Tigers to three runs on nine hits with six strikeouts, over 6.1 innings.

Kayla Lane was the offensive spark for the Panthers, as she hit just her fourth homer of the season to get the Panthers on the board. Lane crushed a high homer to dead center field in the third inning to break the scoreless tie and put the Panthers up 1-0. The Tigers tied the game at 1-1 with a two out RBI single from Alia Logoleo.

Lane saved the go-ahead run from Clemson in the bottom of the fourth as Lane's throw beat out Ally Mikleash at first to end the fourth.

Freshman Macy Hamilton led off the fifth inning with a single up the middle while Lane continued her day with a go-ahead RBI double to retake the lead. Drogemuller held the Tigers scoreless through the next two frames to hold the lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.

The Tigers did not give up as they hit back-to-back singles and drew a walk to load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh. Maddie Moore drew another walk to bring in the game-tying run, as Hyatt followed with a first pitch bunt to score Valerie Cagle and earn the walk-off victory.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to McWhorter Stadium tomorrow for the second game of the three game-series. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. on the ACC Network.