Cards Drop Series Opener to Clemson

Friday, March 13

Clemson, SC

4:00 PM

University of Louisville

19-6, 2-2

Clemson University

18-8, 3-1

Louisville

Clemson

March 13, 2026 | Softball

Box Score

By: Kennedy Knisley

CLEMSON, S.C. – The University of Louisville softball team (19-6, 2-2 ACC) fell to Clemson (18-8, 3-1 ACC) by an 8-6 margin Friday evening at McWhorter Stadium in the opening game of the series.

Louisville jumped out to an early lead, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Singles by Easton Lotus and Chelsea Mack set the table before Jordan Williams delivered a two-run single to left field to score both runners. Taylor Monroe followed with an RBI single and another run crossed on a passed ball to give the Cardinals a 4-0 advantage.

Clemson answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Sarah Breaux, helping the Tigers push across five runs to take a 5-4 lead after one.

The Cardinals regained the lead in the second inning. After Lotus singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch and Mack walked, Louisville capitalized on Clemson miscues. Camryn Lookadoo reached on an error that allowed Lotus to score before Madison Pickens added an RBI single to bring home Mack and give Louisville a 6-5 edge.

Both pitching staffs settled in over the next several innings before Clemson tied the game in the fourth on a sacrifice bunt. The Tigers then took control in the sixth inning with an RBI single and RBI double to push across two runs and secure the 8-6 final.

Louisville finished with eight hits in the contest. Lotus and Mack led the way with two hits apiece, while Pickens, Williams, Janda and Monroe each recorded key hits that contributed to the Cardinals' six runs.

Louisville will continue the series against Clemson on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at McWhorter Stadium.