Three outs away from an all-time upset, the Pittsburgh Panthers softball team headed to the bottom of the seventh inning in Clemson with history on their mind.
The Tigers had other ideas, though.
Clemson (42-5, 15-4 ACC) got a rally going in the bottom half of the inning thanks to back-to-back singles from graduate outfielder Ally Miklesh and redshirt junior two-way player Valerie Cagle. After a walk to load the bases, Pitt walked in a run, tying the game at 2 apiece.
That’s when JoJo Hyatt stepped to the plate. An unlikely hero, the redshirt junior catcher successfully executed a suicide squeeze play as Cagle came charging down from third base to score the winning run. It was a bold call for sure and one that paid off for one of college softball’s best teams, as they mobbed Hyatt after the walk-off fielder’s choice.
TIGERS WIN!! TIGERS WIN!!!
The Tigers walk it off after a bunt by JoJo Hyatt to plate Valerie Cagle. Clemson is back in action tomorrow at noon for game two versus Pitt. pic.twitter.com/chmJWvMqtQ
— Clemson Softball 🥎 (@clemsonsoftball) April 22, 2023
The college softball world reacted to the insane finish on social media:
After the walk-off, the university’s president, who was in attendance for Friday night’s contest, showed off a picture of his Apple Watch.
“Can confirm, McWhorter Stadium was rocking tonight!” Clemson President Jim Clements said about his watch, which said he was in a loud environment.
Can confirm, McWhorter Stadium was rocking tonight! pic.twitter.com/NWbFPM40jU
— Jim Clements (@ClemsonPrez) April 22, 2023
“Walk-off squeeze,” tweeted Andrew Boozer.
“walk off bases loaded bunt is so funny,” wrote a Clemson graduate on Twitter.
“A walkoff bunt… in absolute awe of this team,” said another Clemson fan.
“Fun one at McWhorter tonight,” Sports radio personality William Qualkinbush tweeted.