Tensions flared to a season-high at Tech Softball Park Sunday afternoon in a contentious dead-rubber match that resulted in No. 6 Clemson beating No. 21 Virginia Tech, 5-4, in the Tigers’ first regular season victory over the Hokies since February 18, 2021.
The Hokies (35-17, 14-10 ACC) had sealed the series already, as well as their spot in the ACC tournament, so the main goal was to maintain their best team play of the season. However, they needed to do it without Jayme Bailey.
“She’s day-to-day,” Tech head coach Pete D’Amour said, briefly updating reporters on her condition.
Bailey missed just her third game since the start of the 2020 season after McKenzie Clark threw an elbow when making a run at the plate Saturday. She was subsequently ejected from the contest, but returned Sunday, leading off the action by striking out looking to Emma Lemley.
The Tigers (45-8, 18-6 ACC) had runners on the corners in the first, but didn’t capitalize. Instead, Alia Logoleo struck first in the second frame via a firm solo shot to left field that left the ballpark. Many fans argued Logoleo shouldn’t have had that opportunity, as there was a 50/50 pitch earlier in the at-bat with two strikes that was deemed a ball.
Nevertheless, the Hokies responded in the bottom of the second with a lead-off single from Emma Ritter. Utilizing some crafty base running, she was able to tie it up after Bre Peck and Madison Hanson sacrificed themselves.
With two outs, Kelsey Bennett drew a walk before Rachel Castine went yard for just the third time this season, giving the home team a 3-1 lead.
The hits off starter Brooke McCubbin, who pitched well Saturday and against the Hokies last year, were enough for Clemson to make the switch to Regan Spencer (5-0). Tech extended its lead to 4-1 the following inning, though. A two-out double by Addy Greene was backed up by a left field single by Ritter. Though Greene initially stopped at third, she was gifted a poor throw by Ally Miklesh that was nowhere near home plate.
While Tech continued to piece things together offensively, Lemley began to labor a bit midway through the game. She was pulled with two outs in the fourth for Molly Jacobson who, like Saturday, came in for only one out to close the inning.
Lyndsey Grein (8-4) was entrusted with the final three frames, hoping to prevent the Tigers from chipping away at the lead. However, that’s exactly what they did. Caroline Jacobsen took advantage of a fielding error by Cameron Fagan, doubling into right field to score Miklesh.
Still trailing 4-2, Jadeyn Ruszkowski swung for the fences early in the sixth and lifted a ball over Peck’s head to put Clemson within one. JoJo Hyatt managed to get a ball down for a base hit before Reedy Davenport skied one towards left field.
The ball flirted with the foul line the entire time, and it was a borderline call. Head umpire Scott Mair was of the opinion that it had just snuck fair. It was a consequential call, putting Clemson in front, 5-4. Fans were irate, clamoring for a review that never came.
Two more singles compounded the frustrations of the home fans, but Grein worked meticulously to escape without further damage.
The Hokies had their best chance to equalize in the bottom of the sixth, putting runners on the corners with two outs. Castine fell into a 1-2 hole, but appeared to check her swing on a pitch way outside. Though right-handed, there was an appeal to third base umpire Brad Newton, who raised his fist.
Judge for yourself… pic.twitter.com/Z2i4MrQBKz
— Ishan Lamba (@IshanLamba703) April 30, 2023
Fans were incensed, and after having seen an inconsistent strike zone and multiple narrow calls going in favor of Clemson, there were many who were ready to explode.
At the same time, that moment represented the Hokies’ best opportunity to extend the game, if not reclaim the lead. Instead, Valerie Cagle was able to close it out and send the visitors home with something to hang their hat on.
It’s certainly not the first time that Virginia Tech and its fans have had gripes with the umpires, and D’Amour counseled his team on playing around it.
“We don’t deal with the umpires,” D’Amour stated. “If you preach control, we can’t control them. You can control your reactions to it.”
After the loss, Tech finished 14-10 in ACC play, trending upwards to end the season.
“I thought we played our best at the end,” D’Amour expressed. “We ran the gauntlet — Duke, Notre Dame, Clemson, Florida State — so as long as we’re playing better now than we were at the beginning, that’s all that matters.”
With the postseason looming, the Hokies are on the upswing, and Grein offered some words on the biggest strength of this team heading into the final stage of the year.
“I think our companionship is our biggest strength,” Grein said. “I’ve been on a lot of teams before and I’ve never really had such close relationships as I do on this one, and I think that makes us special.”
Tech closes out the regular season with a Wednesday clash at Liberty at 6 p.m. ET before traveling to South Bend, Ind. to participate in the ACC tournament. The Hokies are the No. 5 seed in the event, which takes place from May 10-13.
Box Score: No. 6 Clemson 5, No. 21 Virginia Tech 4
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That would not have been called a check swing in MLB even w a first base ump. She did not go.
If the rule is the same as in baseball, the appeal on a right-handed batter goes to the third base umpire. He has the best view of if the bat broke the plane of the back of the plate. Which is what I think they go by, although that might be different for softball and I suspect the umpires have their own rules-of-thumb they like to follow if they are being honest.
Baseball appeals to 1b on RH batter
Looked like a swing to me. Bat doesn’t have to cross the plate to be considered a swing. But odd that the 3rd base ump called it…
Just a suggestion. When the key word in the headline is “controversial,” it might be a good idea to identify the point of controversy somewhere in the first paragraph or two. My initial impression was that the controversy had something to do with a thrown elbow, but then halfway through the story I see the reference to the checked wing called strike. If fans were upset over narrow calls, what were those calls? From Chip’s comments, I guess a doubtful HR was one of them.
That’s a perfectly valid suggestion, and I’ll take that to heart for the next time something like this happens. Thank you so much!
And to clarify, the umpire had been inconsistent behind the plate with balls and strikes, which got fans irritated. One right before to Logoleo’s home run, and the go-ahead homer was also controversial. The check swing was really the nail in the coffin.
Agreed I was confused by that as well.
that was a swing from any angle…no O/M glasses..
did you stop motion the video. The bat never broke the plate. But the worse part is you don’t go to the 3rd base ref, to make a call on a right-handed batter.
Exactly. Third base ump can’t see squat on a RH batter.
Why does the 3rd base ump get to make that call, not a great angle.
3 person rotation..runner on first: first base umpire moves to the front of the runner..plate ump asked for help…the batter was walking away
Are the umps the same refs we see in Women’s bball? 😉 Great series nonetheless!
Great job, Ishan. Tough loss for sure. That HR certainly looked foul and fans who were watching in the outfield were adamant that it was foul. But the rule book says balls that are higher than the foul pole can’t be reviewed. Bummer for the Hokies but a good finish to the season.
Best wishes in your future endeavors.
Thanks for the rules clarification Chip.
Ditto for Ishan. Best of luck.
Bat never crossed the plate from that angle so not sure how the swing was called a strike.
And as a RH batter, shouldn’t the first base umpire call it?
I thought the same thing, but there doesn’t appear to be an umpire at first.
She didn’t check her swing.
Looks like Castine checked her swing to me. Oh well, on to Liberty.
Did you stop motion the video? I think she did.