Valerie Cagle may just be one of the best collegiate athletes that Clemson University has ever seen. On Wednesday, the Atlantic Coastal Conference awarded the Clemson Tigers softball star with the Conference Player of the Year award.
“@Val_Cagle is the … 2023 ACC Player of the Year! For the second time in her career, Cagle is the ACC Player of the Year,” Clemson softball tweeted.
🚨 @Val_Cagle is the …
2023 ACC Player of the Year!
For the second time in her career, Cagle is the ACC Player of the Year 👏
DETAILS – https://t.co/CYCe1j8Knk pic.twitter.com/lWstSQazPl
— Clemson Softball 🥎 (@clemsonsoftball) May 10, 2023
Cagle, a two-way player, had another fantastic season on the mound and at the plate. Cagle pitched to a 22-5 record with a 1.22 ERA in 32 appearances in the circle. She struck out 165 batters in 161 innings of work, while also recording seven solo shutouts and three saves. She also threw the first perfect game in the history of the program back in March.
Playing in 53 games for the Tigers this season, Cagle slugged a program-record 18 home runs and tallied 53 RBIs. She recorded 73 hits in 156 at-bats, which means she recorded a hit in nearly 47 percent of her plate appearances on the season. Along with her impressive batting average of .465, Cagle had a .554 on-base percentage and a .917 slugging percentage.
The Clemson softball team will aim to win the ACC Tournament this week.
Those in the sports world reacted to the huge Clemson softball announcement on social media, as Cagle was recognized for being the best player in her conference.
Congratulations to @Val_Cagle for being named the 2023 ACC Player of the Year! https://t.co/vMfXaTWvN0
— Jim Clements (@ClemsonPrez) May 10, 2023
🐐 @Val_Cagle https://t.co/ZZh28NPs4f
— ClemsonSportsNetwork (@ClemsonSportNet) May 10, 2023
Congrats 🐐‼️ @Val_Cagle https://t.co/5MiiQ9bsPo
— KJ Henry (@thekjhenry) May 10, 2023
Massive honor for one of Clemson's all-time athletes. https://t.co/59Qqsj91jc
— Justin Robertson (@j_probertson) May 10, 2023
Was there ever a doubt…. 🤷🏽♂️ Conrgats @Val_Cagle !!! The Best is Yet To Come! https://t.co/1i9dDYu4qs
— Cagle’s Corner 🥎🐅 (@CaglesCornerCU) May 10, 2023
Build the statue! https://t.co/IJ5h2W5fIx
— gerald (@gcdonalds) May 10, 2023
Clemson has participated in only four of the 32 seasons that the ACC has sponsored softball, yet has one of only five players in league history to win multiple ACC Player of the Year honors.
Cagle ('21 & '23) became the first of the five to win the honors non-consecutively. https://t.co/m3pC2TQ4L7
— Ross Taylor (@ClemsonFBRoss) May 10, 2023
https://t.co/bcTIRHuKLm pic.twitter.com/eAMZoUgxrH
— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) May 10, 2023
