ACC softball championship recap: Highlights from Clemson's comeback win over Florida State
Clemson softball knocked off a bunch of firsts during Saturday's ACC Softball Tournament championship.
The Tigers defeated Florida State 2-1 behind a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning by Kylee Johnson at Harrington Athletics Village in Brighton, Massachusetts, to clinch an automatic berth in the NCAA softball tournament.
The ACC Softball Tournament championship is the first in program history for the Tigers. The win was also the first for Clemson over FSU and it marked the first time the Seminoles had lost in 2025 when they held a lead through six innings. They had been 30-0 this season entering the game.
FSU pitchers Ashtyn Danley and Julia Apsel limited Clemson to no runs, two hits, seven strikeouts and five walks through the first six innings. However, Apsel walked Marian Collins to open the top of the seventh inning and was replaced by freshman Jazzy Francik.
Francik struck out the first hitter she faced, but Johnson deposited a 2-2 pitch over the wall to give Clemson the lead. In the bottom of the inning, Brooke McCubbin allowed the first two hitters of the inning to reach base, but retired Jahni Kerr, Katie Dack and Michaela Edenfield to get out of the jam and preserve the win.
Florida State scored its lone run on a solo home run from Hallie Wacaser in the bottom of the third inning. However, the Seminoles struggled with runners on, going 2-for-14 in such situations. FSU left nine runners on base.
Clemson also won in a comeback on Friday in the semifinal after trailing Virginia Tech 9-2 entering the sixth inning. The Tigers used an eight-run inning to propel themselves to victory. FSU came in seeking its 20th conference tournament title.
Catch up here with updates, highlights and more from Clemson's ACC softball championship over Florida State:
Watch the ACC softball championship game live with Fubo (free trial)
ACC softball championship live score
This section will be updated live
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | F |
| Clemson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| FSU | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
ACC softball championship live updates
Clemson defeats Florida State 2-1 to win first ACC Tournament championship
With runners on first and second, zero outs, Brooke McCubbin was able to bear down and retire FSU's 2-3-4 hitters in order to get out of the jam and get Clemson its first ACC Tournament championship.
McCubbin retired Jahni Kerr on a fly out, struck out Katie Dack and got Michaela Edenfield out on a fly out to preserve the win.
The Tigers entered the seventh inning trailing 1-0, but took a lead on a two-run home run by Kylee Johnson with one out.
FSU with two on in seventh inning
Annabelle Widra leads off the bottom of the seventh inning with a pinch-hit single in place of Krystina Hartley. FSU lead-off hitter Isa Torres reached on an infield single. FSU has first and second, no outs.
Kylee Johnson gives Clemson lead with 2-run home run
Just like that, Clemson holds a 2-1 lead over FSU in the ACC championship game following a two-run home run off freshman Jazzy Francik in the top of the seventh inning.
Florida State will send its 9-1-2 hitters in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Jazzy Francik enters to close out game for FSU
Following a leadoff walk to Marian Collins to open the top of the sixth inning, FSU coach Lonni Alameda replaces Julia Apsel with freshman Jazzy Francik in the circle for the final three outs. Francik has eight saves this season and a no-hitter on her résumé.
Michaela Edenfield catches Kennedy Ariail trying to steal to end 6th
FSU catcher Michaela Edenfield caught Kennedy Ariaial attempting to steal second base with two outs to end the top of the sixth inning. The Tigers trail 1-0 and have just three outs to work with to make a comeback.
But first, the Seminoles will have a chance to end some insurance runs.
Clemson scoreless through 5 innings after web gem by Krystina Hartley
Krystina Hartley provided FSU's defense with another web gem highlight on a slow dribbler hit to second. Hartley dove and flipped the ball from her glove to first base to record the out.
The Seminoles hold a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.
Clemson escapes another jam in fourth inning
Florida State had runners on first and second with one out following Amaya Ross being hit by a pitch. However, Brooke McCubbin retired Jaysoni Beachum on a fielder's choice and Hallie Wacaser, who hit a solo home run in the third inning, on a flyball to escape the threat.
It's still 1-0 FSU heading into the top of the fifth inning. The Tigers send their 9-1-2 hitters to the plate to begin the inning.
Brooke McCubbin takes over for Reese Basinger for Clemson
Brooke McCubbin has taken over for Reese Basinger in the circle in the bottom of the fourth inning following a leadoff single by Michaela Edenfield. Basinger allowed one run on four hits and struck out one batter in three innings of work.
Julia Apsel takes over for Ashtyn Danley in circle
Left-handed pitcher Julia Apsel has taken over for Ashtyn Danley in the circle in the top of the fourth inning. Danley did not allow a run and two hits in her three innings, which included three walks and two strikeouts.
Apsel, a Hofstra transfer, started and pitched 2 ⅔ innings in a semifinal start against Duke on Friday.
Hallie Wacaser gives FSU 1-0 lead with home run
FSU eight-hole hitter Hallie Wacaser hits a solo home run to the center straight away to lead off the bottom of the third inning and give FSU a 1-0 lead. It's the 76th home run of the season for the Seminoles and the seventh of the year for Wacaser.
FSU scoreless through two innings
Angela Bueno reached on an error and Amaya Ross bunted for a single to give the Seminoles first and second with no outs to begin the inning. However, the Tigers turned a double play and then caught Ross attempting to steal third base to end the threat.
We remain scoreless heading into the top of the third inning.
Isa Torres makes web gem to get FSU out of jam
Clemson loads the bases with two outs in the top of the second inning, sending lead-off hitter Alex Brown to the dish. FSU shortstop makes a diving web gem catch near second base to retire Brown and end the threat.
FSU, Clemson scoreless after first inning
Despite a two-out walk for Clemson and a one-out single for FSU, both teams go scoreless in the first inning of the ACC Softball Tournament championship game.
Ashtyn Danley strikes out Alex Brown to open game
Florida State pitcher strikes out Clemson leadoff hitter Alex Brown on three pitches to open the 2025 ACC Tournament championship game.
Pregame
Florida State starting lineup
Here's a look at the starting lineup for Florida State vs. Clemson:
- Isa Torres, SS
- Jahni Kerr, CF
- Katie Dack, RF
- Michaela Edenfield, C
- Angelee Bueno, 1B
- Amaya Ross, DP
- Jaysoni Beachum, 3B
- Hallie Wacaser, LF
- Krystina Hartley, 2B
- Ashtyn Danley, P
Clemson starting lineup
Here's a look at the starting lineup for Clemson:
- Alex Brown, 3B
- Maddie Moore, 2B
- Julia Knowler, 1B
- Macey Cintron, DP
- Aby Viera, C
- Marian Collins, SS
- Taylor Perkins, RF
- Kylee Johnson, LF
- Jamison Brockenbrough, CF
- Reese Basinger, P
FSU arrives for ACC championship game
FSU has arrived at the stadium and is ready to get geared up for its ACC Tournament championship game vs. Clemson. The Seminoles are seeking their 20th ACC tournament title, while the Tigers are going for their first.
ACC Softball Tournament championship game to start at 3 p.m.
First pitch for the ACC Softball Tournament championship game between Florida State and Clemson has been pushed back by 30 minutes and will begin at 3 p.m. ET instead of 2:30 p.m. ET.
ACC softball championship time today
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Date: Saturday, May 9
- Location: Harrington Athletics Village (Brighton, Massachusetts)
The first pitch of the 2025 ACC softball tournament championship game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 9, from Harrington Athletics Village in Brighton, Massachusetts.
Where to watch ACC softball championship
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
The 2025 ACC softball tournament championship game will air on ESPN.
For fans seeking streaming options, those include the ESPN app and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Florida State softball schedule 2025
Below are FSU's last five results. To view the Seminoles' full 2025 schedule, click here.
- May 2: Florida State 13, Virginia Tech 4
- May 3: Florida State 8, Virginia Tech 0 (6 innings)
- May 4: Virginia Tech 8, Florida State 6
- May 8: Florida State 8, Georgia Tech 0 (6 innings) ACC Tournament)
- May 9: Florida State 3, Duke 2 (ACC Tournament)
Clemson softball schedule 2025
Below are Clemson's last five results. To view the Tigers' full 2025 schedule, click here.
- April 25: Clemson 6, Georgia Tech 2
- April 26: Clemson 19, Georgia Tech 0 (5 innings)
- April 27: Clemson 8, Georgia Tech 2
- May 8: Clemson 7, Virginia 4 (ACC Tournament)
- May 9: Clemson 10, Virginia Tech 9 (ACC Tournament)