Eagles Stun No. 25 Clemson with Five-Run Seventh

Friday, February 27

Clemson, SC

3 PM

Georgia Southern University

7-7

Clemson

12-6

Georgia Southern

Clemson

2/27/2026 8:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – In first-ever meeting, the Georgia Southern Eagles (7-7) stunned No. 25 Clemson (12-6) with a thrilling seventh-inning surge, scoring five runs to claim their first lead since the opening frame and secure an 8-7 victory.

Leading off the game, Kayla Christensen set the tone immediately, launching a solo home run on the third pitch of her first at-bat – the first of her career – to give the Eagles a quick 1-0 advantage.

Clemson responded in the bottom of the first with an offensive burst. A solo homer tied the game before a towering two-run shot to center pushed the Tigers in front 3-1. An RBI single later in the inning kept the momentum going and extended the lead.

The Tigers continued to apply pressure in the second, adding a solo home run and drawing an RBI walk to stretch the margin to 5-1.

Georgia Southern chipped away in the third when Delanie Thames crushed a two-run homer to left, trimming the deficit and igniting the Eagles' offense. Clemson added a solo shot in the fourth to move ahead 7-3, and the score held until the final frame.

In the seventh, the Eagles delivered their biggest moment of the night. With two outs and the bases loaded, Thames ripped a bases-clearing double to right center to pull Georgia Southern within one. Moments later, an RBI single tied the game before another clutch single plated the go-ahead run, completing a five-run rally and flipping the momentum entirely.

Georgia Southern's late offensive explosion – all coming with two outs – proved decisive as the Eagles held on for the upset win over the ranked Tigers.

Freshman Kaylee Croft anchored the effort in the circle, entering in the third inning and stabilizing the game through the middle frames. She tossed 5.0 innings of relief, allowing six hits and two earned runs while walking three and striking out four. Her poised outing earned her first collegiate win and gave Georgia Southern the chance to mount its dramatic comeback.

The Eagles return to McWhorter Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 28, for a 10 a.m. matchup against Wofford followed by a 12:30 p.m. contest against No. 12 Mississippi State.