“I think fans are going to be really, really pleased with the team we put on the field this year.” – John Rittman
Fall Check In with Clemson Softball
As Clemson Softball’s fall slate comes to a close, the Tigers are already laying the foundation for what’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing seasons in program history. With 11 new faces and a reloaded pitching staff, Clemson Head Coach John Rittman says the focus this fall has been about blending talent, culture, and competition.
“I’m definitely pleased with the way we’ve approached fall practice,” Rittman said. “We’ve accomplished a lot and, you know, we have a lot of new faces, four transfers and seven freshmen, so it’s been a great opportunity as a coaching staff to see this team come together. They’ve been working extremely hard in the weight room, in conditioning, and just working on our team culture, our camaraderie, and instilling our core values in our Tiger way.”
The 2025 Tigers finished 48-14 overall, their first ever ACC Championship, another NCAA Tournament and Super Regional appearance, but enter 2026 with several key departures, including veteran arms Reese Basinger and Brooke McCubbin, who combined for more than 300 innings last spring. That left a major void in the circle, one that Rittman and pitching coach Kyle Jamieson have worked quickly to address.
New Arms, Same Expectations
Clemson added two high-impact transfer pitchers this offseason in Abby Dunning (Boston College) and Sierra Maness (USC Upstate), both of whom have impressed throughout fall play.
“Abby’s a power pitcher, a fifth-year senior in grad school, and she’s been working on a couple other pitches this fall with Coach Jamieson,” Rittman said. “Sierra’s a junior and also has been working on a couple of pitches. They both throw velocity in the upper 60s, 70 miles per hour, both provide that kind of power pitching need we’re looking for.”
Returning to the Tigers squad from last year are pitchers Macey Cintron and Olivia Duncan who add experience and depth to the pitching staff. Cintron is a two-way player who can pitch and play first base, but Rittman also talked about her seeing some time in the outfield too. “Just trying to get the best defense out there,” Rittman said.
Behind them, the Tigers have an exciting trio of freshmen arms that could make an early impact. Lexie Hames, one of the top recruits in her class, headlines the group alongside Keira Crosby and Maddie Johnson.
“Lexi throws really hard and has a great change-up,” Rittman said. “She’s been a big surprise for us. Kira doesn’t throw as hard, but she hits her spots, has great off-speed, and is very athletic. They all complement each other really well.”
Depth Everywhere You Look
While pitching has been a key storyline, Rittman’s excitement about this team’s depth and versatility was impossible to miss.
“We’re still figuring out who’s going to play where,” Rittman said. “We have a lot of depth, and a lot of players that are very versatile. So it gives us a lot of options and we’re trying to see everybody at different positions this fall.”
The infield looks solidified around transfer Kiley Channell (Florida Atlantic) at shortstop and sophomore Marian Collins shifting to her more natural spot at third after the loss of Alex Brown from last year’s team. Sophomores Taylor Pipkins and Madi Lardizabal will compete for time in the infield as Coach Rittman mentioned with the graduation of Maddie Moore, while Julia Knowler returns as a major power threat at first base.
Freshman Mac Pavese adds another strong bat who can play first and also outfield spots, giving Rittman even more lineup flexibility. Another freshman to watch out for is infielder Sarah Breaux who brings power and pop in every swing she takes at the plate.
Behind the plate, Corri Hicks, a transfer from Oklahoma, and freshman Sophia Burmeister headline the catching corps replacing veteran Aby Vieira. Both bring power bats and strong arms to the position, while veteran Riley Burton continues to anchor the group with leadership and work ethic.
In the outfield, senior Jamison Brockenbrough has been a bright spot this fall, along with returner Kylee Johnson, who Rittman said has been working to cut down strikeouts after providing clutch hits last season. Players like Sam Minish, Kennedy Ariail, Riley Fennell, and Ava Wilson are all competing for starting spots, while freshman Sarah Rocheleau could see early opportunities as well.
“It’s a mark of a good team when you’re having a hard time writing a lineup,” Rittman said with a laugh. “I love the way we’ve been hitting this fall, and I think we’re going to be a pretty good offensive team.”
Clemson Building Off Of 2025
Clemson’s 2025 campaign had its share of highs and lows. The Tigers battled through early inconsistency but finished strong, including big series wins over ACC foes late in the season. The offense showed flashes of brilliance, ranking among some of the best in the ACC, but left too many runners stranded in key moments.
Rittman says that’s been a major point of emphasis this fall for Clemson.
“You know, fastpitch softball is a game of timely hitting,” he said. “I think part of that is you’re just playing really good teams. We were a pretty productive offense last year in runs per game and RBIs,I think we’ll build on that success this year.”
Eyes on the Future
Looking ahead, Clemson’s 2026 schedule is expected to be one of the toughest in the country, with numerous matchups against postseason programs, something Rittman embraces fully.
“We play a really tough schedule,” he said. “A lot of great home games and matchups against teams that made the postseason. We’re a team that’s not satisfied. Last year we had a lot of success but we’re moving on. We’re ready to attack the moment this year, and that’s our kind of mantra.”
Rittman’s message to Clemson fans is simple: expect energy, talent, and growth from a team hungry to take the next step.
“I think fans are going to be really, really pleased with the team we put on the field this year,” he said. “We want to do better than we did last year and go farther than we did last year.”
The 2026 season might still be a few months away, but inside McWhorter Stadium, the buzz is already building up. With a talented roster, powerful arms, and a coach confident in his group’s potential, Clemson Softball looks ready to make plenty of noise this coming spring.
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