The "Bang! ACC Champions!" Edition

Clemson softball shocks Florida State to bring hom the Tigers' first ACC Tournament crown.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Each time Clipson Sports Talk with Lawton Swan.

Speaker 2 (00:42):
Finally, Clemson Sports Talk has come back to drive time.
Hell everybody, Lowton Swan back in the saddle once again.
It is the show that shakes the South. Layd Clemson
Sports are for you each and every afternoon as you
make your way around the great state of South Carolina
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(01:06):
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the website, but the dot com on it, dog on it.
That's Clemson Sports Talk dot Com eight O three four
five O zero zero eighty six. That's a text line

(01:27):
and the phone line. And again, appreciate each and every
one of you being a part of the program. And
they show the Shakespeare Salinam brought to you in part
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All right, tough weekend again for the Clemson Tiger baseball team,

(01:50):
losing two out of three of the Blue Devils. I
don't really know. I'm somewhat at a loss for words
when it comes down to this Clipson Tiger baseball team
right now. Frustration, whether or not they were over ranked
when they were number two, whether or not the schedule

(02:13):
just got significantly tougher. The Tigers win on Friday, nine
to seven of the Duke Blue Devils, then a disappointing
fifteen to ten loss on Saturday, marred by a huge,
just a monster seventh inning from the Duke Blue Levels

(02:37):
where they scored ten runs. After Clemson led six' one
heading into the top half of the second, Inning dukes
scratched back one run to make it six to. Two
they got two runs in the third to make it
six to. Four they narrowed within a run in the

(02:59):
top of the fifth, inning so they go from being
down six to five to up fifteen to. Six clemson
answer with three runs in the bottom half of that
seventh inning to make it fifteen to, nine but not.
Enough they would get one more in the bottom of the,
ninth but a ten run inning a disappointing display in

(03:26):
that portion of the ball. Game and then On sunday
The tigers fall eight to four after again that, middle you,
know the middle innings For. Clemson they give up two
runs in the, fourth five runs in the. Fifth after
leading to nothing in the bottom of the second, Inning
clemson falls behind seven to two and eventually trailed eight

(03:53):
to two before getting two runs in the bottom of
the ninth inning for an eight to four. Final loose the,
Series and some might, say now at thirty eight and
fifteen and fifteen and twelve in THE, acc The Clypson
tiger baseball team season has somewhat come a bit unglued

(04:18):
and one more series. Left they'll travel to pitt this coming.
Weekend then they'll jump INTO acc tournament. Play but truth be,
told it's tough sledding in The upstay right now for
This Clemson tiger baseball team and we'll see how things

(04:38):
shake out with this final series at Pit pits ten
and seventeen in the league and just above five hundred
overall at twenty six and twenty. Three but my, goodness
This Clemson tiger baseball team has given themselves a lot
more work than necessary than what was reasonably. NECESSARY i would,

(05:00):
say just a couple of weeks, back but three, consecutive
three consecutive series losses In Atlantic Coast conference play for The,
tigers falling in their series TO Nc, state falling in
their series To Florida, state and falling this weekend at
home to The Duke Blue devils two games to. One that's.

(05:24):
Disappointing what was not disappointing this weekend leading up to
this weekend was The Clemson tiger softball. Team. Incredible how
About John ritman's ball. Club they started the season three and.

(05:45):
Six they finish the regular season INCLUDING acc tournament, play
remember three and, six and they go forty one in
six in their final forty seven games of the. Season

(06:08):
but most, notably they had the incredible comeback Against Virginia.
Tech they had The Grand slam in the opening round Against.
Virginia they go into the seventh inning Trailing Florida, state
the nineteen Tome Atlantic Coast conference champion now in fairness
clubs has been playing. Baseball i'm at softball but a few.

(06:30):
Seasons but The tigers get a two run. Bomb you
talk about turning the. Momentum Kylie johnson two run shot
in the top of the seventh to tip the scales
in the favor of The tigers at two. One Florida

(06:52):
state would threaten in the bottom of the, seventh But
brook mccobbn got the job d N e and The
Clemson tigers win their first EVER Acc softball. Championship and
good On John ritman in that ball club, four really

(07:16):
having the heart of a, champion never giving. Up here's
the call When Kylie johnson's home run secured IN Acc
championship For. CLEMSON i shouldn't say secured. Again they had
to wrap things up in the bottom, half but here's
what it sounded like ON.

Speaker 3 (07:34):
Espn Rock Ledge florida went To Florida state camps growing.

Speaker 4 (07:38):
Up that ball is crushing the deep siur field To
Kylie johnson with one out in the seventh inning and
one swing Gives clipson the.

Speaker 2 (07:53):
Lead such an awesome, moment won an awesome. Moment their
eightieth home run of the. Season that's the most This
clemson baseball team has ever. Had Reese Bassinger brooke, McCubbin

(08:15):
the Duo clipson star, pitchers both pitched in that game
Against Florida state and held a seminal offense that is,
electric absolutely, electric to just eight hits and one run batted.
In clemson defensively figuring it. Out Taylor, pipkins who had

(08:38):
the Grand slam In game one for The, tigers was
named THE mvp of THE Acc. Tournament, McCubbin Maddie, moore
And Abby vieira were all named To All Tournament team
or to The Atlantic Coast Conference All Tournament. Team and
they are your a C c. Champion put The Clemson

(09:02):
Tiger paul on the. Board they win it. All here's
the final call of the game when The tigers completed
their incredible and first EVER acc Championship.

Speaker 4 (09:17):
Edenfield in the air, playable freaking cross crisis and for
the first, time the Thousand tigers have.

Speaker 3 (09:27):
Won THE Acc tournament championship For cardiac comeback kids all
three wins and come from behind, fashion this time on
a seventh inning home run By.

Speaker 2 (09:46):
John and in that, Moment Florida state had a runner
on second and first base or a runner in scoring
position two. Outs they actually had runners on first and
second with no, outs but they found a way to
top the best team in The Atlantic Coast. Conference in
one of the TEAMS i mentioned that is considered a

(10:08):
threat To, oklahoma who's won four consecutive national championships in college,
softball The Florida State. Seminoles so it was a seventh
inning two run bomb From Kylie, johnson Giving clemson their
first EVER acc championship game this past, weekend The, tigers
AS i, mentioned forty four to, twelve The seminoles now

(10:30):
forty six and. Nine brook mccoven earned her fifteenth victory
of the season and the third victory for her in
THE acc. Tournament fellow Senior Reese basinger started the, game
went the first three, innings striking out one and just
giving up a single run to The seminoles to duo
stranded Nine Florida state ball players and The seminoles were

(10:55):
zero to eight with runners in scoring. Position Florida state's
loan run of the game would come off a home,
run a solo shot to lead off the third inning
on the center, field but after that basically settled, down
retired three of the next Four seminoles she, faced and

(11:18):
that really Allowed clemson to get to, McCubbin who came
in and was dealan that got The tigers to the final.
Frame in the top, Half Marion collins worked at walk
and got on base to put the tying run on
and with one, Out johnson hit a two to two

(11:40):
pitch to center field to make it two to One.
Clemson then in the bottom, half the first Two seminoles
reached base with no outs AS i, mentioned but McCubbin
forced a deep flyout that held the runners. Up she
got a strikeout to give The tigers their second out
of the and then within an out of their first

(12:05):
EVER acc. Championship on the first pitch of the, Bat
Florida state popped the ball to center field and as
you heard on the, Call jamison Broken brow came on
and made made the. Grab In, Brighton, massachusetts The tigers
brightened the weekend For clemson fans everywhere with AN acc.

(12:28):
Championship here's head Coach John ritman following the.

Speaker 5 (12:32):
Victory, YEAH i mean it's you, know for a program
that's only in that sixth. Year you, know we won
a regular season championship our first full year of playing
in twenty. One we started in twenty BUT covid hit
and twenty one we won a regular season championship and
then lost two championship.

Speaker 6 (12:49):
Games but.

Speaker 5 (12:51):
To get back in this moment after two years of
missing the championship game and to win it against an
Outstanding Florida state. Team you, know it says a lot
about our team and just the grit of the termination
and the never say donny. MINDSET i, mean we've come
back in so many games this year and won game
so many different. Ways and you, know one through nine

(13:13):
and people off the, bench you just don't know who's
ever going to hit the big hit or driving the big,
run or pitch the beginnings or make the great defensive.
Plays it changes every. Game and you Know Kylie Johnson francis,
TODAY i mean she wasn't even in the starting lineup
yesterday and today she has two of our three hits
with the big home run to win.

Speaker 2 (13:30):
It there you, Go John ritman breaking it down for.
You The tigers are in eleven. Seed they will host a.
Regional their first matchup schedule For friday at four thirty
on THE Acc network against Usc, upstate who's thirty nine
and fourteen and champions of The Big South conference for
back to back. Seasons also inclipses, regional it'll Be northwestern

(13:55):
they are twenty nine to eighteen and one and out
of The Sea, kentucky who is twenty nine and twenty.
Six their Matchup northwestern In. Kentucky they will face off
at two o'clock On friday ON Espn. Plus So clemson
will open things up AGAINST Usc upstate on THE Acc

(14:17):
network On, friday postseason play taking place at Mcwater. STADIUM
a bunch of cats there for, sure with both Sets
northwestern And kentucky Being wildcats and Then clemson Being. Tigers
and this GROUP i mentioned the eighty home RUNS i
think ninety four doubles this year for This Clemson tiger.

(14:38):
Offense and, yes they're a young. Team they're led by
a couple of veteran, pitchers Obviously Basing, juror who is
THE Acc pitcher of The, year transferred in From. Winthrop
but you, Know John ritman is one of the best
college softball coaches In, america AND i, BELIEVE i believe

(15:02):
during That Florida state, GAME i got, it, MAN i
was at a bowling alley AND i was trying to
keep up with. It BUT i Believe Florida state's coach
back in the day was On John ritman's. STAFF i
think It's, stanford and you look at just how Good
Florida state has been and kind of recognize in a

(15:24):
weird way that that lineage is off Of John ripman's,
tree if you. Will but congratulations to Coach, Ripman congratulations
To clemson's softball fans as they are hosting The road
To Oklahoma city Began Zack Mittwater stadium for The Clemson

(15:49):
tiger softball. Team as they are. In we knew they
were going to be. In but, REMEMBER i openly admit,
IT i wrote them. Off you recall you heard the
show you were. HERE i mean when that team started

(16:11):
three and, six Minus Valerie cagele and all the other
stars that had built the, program you, know As John rittman,
NOTED i, mean this is a team that won a
regular SEASON acc championship in its first real full season
in the league in twenty twenty, one had played for
the championship two other other. Times but you lose WHAT

(16:35):
i have argued will be the best player in program
history because of What kegle did in the circle and
in the. Plate but maybe even that take is too,
hot and maybe And i'm not saying there's that caliber
player on this team right, now BUT i am starting
to believe that my thought process on the possibility That

(17:00):
John ripman could find somebody as good in the circle
and as good at the. Plate this, unicorn if you,
will is not something THAT i think you can. Dismiss so,
HENCEFORTH i will still Recognize Valerie kagel as the Best
clemson softball player. Ever BUT i do not accept the

(17:26):
premise THAT i once stated that that will last. FOREVER
i Think ripman's got the ability to go find somebody
that could be. Better and look at the job he
did this season from three and six to an incredible
forty four and. TWELVE i, mean it's just mind. Blowing

(17:48):
to go forty one and six in your final forty seven.
Games that's as good as anything you're going to see
in the country outside of The Oklahoma. Sooners but when
The tigers lost To ole miss to open the season
in The Paradise, classic and THEN i, think more specifically

(18:11):
when they got beat BY fau six to two in
their third, game that that raised my. Antenna but then
they lost three consecutive, games ten to six To, missouri
six' Three, to auburn and then seven to six To

(18:32):
The kentucky wildcats out OF the sec who are in.
This region that was a seven to Six matchup Back on,
february fourteenth part of a four game losing skid because
they followed that up down At The Shriners Children's Clear
order invitational with a LOSS. To ucf you just thought
this is based off of the results you'd seen in.

(18:53):
THE past i think this is a tough word for me.
TO pronounce I hope i say. It right it felt
unconscionable that that would be. The case but my how
the worm. Has turned, and again congratulations to the ladies
On this clympson softball team for not, giving up continuing

(19:18):
to fight and really, not allowing not allowing that opening
stretch to define and determine. Their season what, A moment
what a moment AT the. Acc tournament here's what it
sounded Like.

Speaker 3 (19:37):
Rock ledge florida Went To florida state camps.

Speaker 4 (19:40):
Growing up that ball is crushing a deep center Field
To kylie johnson with one out in the seventh inning in,
one swing.

Speaker 2 (19:53):
Gives climps in.

Speaker 5 (19:54):
The, lead.

Speaker 2 (19:57):
Bang we'll be. RIGHT back i can then rolling along
with you On a Monday Afternoon, Clemson SPORTS so i
don't forget if you're in the upstate. To stop buy
our friends Over In alumni hall right there on the
corner of Campus On. College avenue In. Downtown Clemson It's
alumni hall for All your clemson Officially licensed clemson, Apparel
merchandise get those stickers for, your vehicle get your tailgate

(20:19):
ready for the college football Season At alumni hall on
Line At alumni hall. Dot com and it's not Just for.
Clemson fans by, the way if you're a fan of,
another school take a Look At alumni hall's main website
and see if your favorite institution is a Part Of.
Alumni hall don't Forget. In Clemson all, clemson, students faculty

(20:42):
and military members receive ten percent off of shopping, in
store and you can find their advertisements on, Our website
Clemson sports talk. Dot, com Again It's alumni Hall where tiger. Fans.
SHOP again a huge weekend For the clemson softball team
AND THE Nc doublea tournament. Is set We mentioned clemson an,

(21:06):
eleven seed but here's the rundown of WHAT The NC
Double A softball tournament looks like. This Year as oklahoma
attempts to win their fifth consecutive. National Title, holy moly
the top seed in the tournament Goes TO texas A.
And m they will host a Series With Saint francis

(21:29):
liberty and mayrist all Coming To college station again. Regional
play all regional play is, double elimination which means the
number two team in the country the number two seed
also out OF. The sec Of The, oklahoma sooners their
regional will Consist Of omaha Cal IN. Boston u but

(21:52):
here's what's interesting. About that Oklahoma AND texas A and
m were scheduled to PLAY an sec, championship game but
because of, inclement WEATHER the sec decided inclement Weather, on
SATURDAY the sec decided that instead of waiting a day

(22:16):
to play, the Championship both Oklahoma AND texas A and
m were declared co champion co champions OF The Sec.
Softball Tournament greg sanke put out a statements in congrats
To the sooners And the aggies and best of luck

(22:36):
to both teams of. The POSTSEASON and i mean being
the number one seed or the number. Two, seed yeah
that's one of those that's neither. Here north they are kind.
Of differences But if oklahoma wins, that, game right they're
certainly the number one overall seed in. The TOURNAMENT if

(22:57):
A and m, wins it well they're already where they
are as in their. One seed and if it truly.
Means more AS the, sec says that's not just a
moniker or a statement that they use, for football they
use it for. All sports why not wait a day and.
Play it they couldn't have played that game at ten

(23:18):
Am on sunday morning or. One, o'clock mean the selection
show last night wasn't until. Seven pm you could have
gotten that in and allowed those two teams to be able.
To advance, and look the weather wasn't great Up, In,
brighton massachusetts but the folks up there figured out how

(23:41):
To get Clemson In florida state's. Game in, and look
you don't have to feel Bad for OKLAHOMA or.

Speaker 7 (23:49):
A. And, m.

Speaker 2 (23:51):
Mean you know they're both, co champions but For the
sooners to be the two seed when with, a victory
they're likely the one seed that does seem like there
was more than just a championship on. The line florida
also out OF, the sec they're the. Three seed They'll,
Host Mercer, florida Atlantic And. Georgia tech the four Seed.

(24:14):
Is arkansas again out OF. The sec the top four
seeds Going To southeastern. Conference schools their region will Consist,
Of Indiana, oklahoma state which is another great baseball Program And.
Saint louis the fifth seed IN the ncaa tournament Belongs
To florida state out Of The Atlantic. Coast conference They'll

(24:35):
Have robert morris in, Their region Auburn And. South florida
the sixth Seed. Is texas They'll, Host Michigan central Florida And.
Eastern illinois the seventh overall seed in the tournament Is The,
tennessee volunteers who were number One when clemson went Up
to knoxville and knocked them off earlier. This year Miami

(24:56):
of ohio will be in. That Region ohio State And
north carolina a part of that Region The South carolina
gamecocks with the final national seed as the number, eight
seed they Will Host, North, florida Virginia and elon in,
their region and then the nine SEED. Is ucla THEY'LL

(25:17):
Have Uc, Santa Barbara, arizona State And San. Diego state the,
tenth seed just Ahead of CLEMSON. Is lsu their region Consists,
Of yukon Nebraska And. Southeastern louisiana the eleventh seed The Aforementioned.
Clemson tigers THEY'LL, Have, Usc upstate Kentucky And northwestern the
twelve Seed Is texas tech that region Will, Have Washington,

(25:39):
mississippi State. And brown and if you haven't picked up
the heavy FLAVOR of sec in, the tournament, believe me
the regions are PACKED with. Sec teams the thirteen Seed.
Is arizona They'll Have, Santa, Clara ole Miss And. Grand
canyon the fourteenth Seed. Is duke They'll Have, Coastal carolina Georgia.

(26:06):
And howard the fifteenth Seed. Is alabama They'll Host, Jackson State,
virginia Tech. And belmont and the sixteenth Seed. Is oregon They'll, Host,
binghamton Stanford And. Weber state meaning fourteen of the sixteen
Regions Have southeastern conference teams participating. In them the only

(26:28):
ones that don't are NINE seeded ucla way out west
their Region and oregon's region. Out west everybody else THERE'S an.
Sec school fourteen of the sixteen regionals HAVE an. Sec tie.
That's wild we talked about what expansion of these the,

(26:52):
you know the the conferences's gonna, look like and here.
You go much, LIKE basketball, i mean you're getting, a
flood a flood of teams from one conference into, postseason
play and the majority of those in this scenario obviously
being that Of The South eastern conference eight zero three

(27:15):
four five zero zero eighty six tex line. Phone lines
so bold playoff predictions are already out there in. A,
multitude yeah maybe multitude is not, the best but several
are really buying in To Your. Clempson tigers i'll tell
you about when we. Get Back clemson sports taught The
Show the shakes To south land On. A Monday william

(27:37):
kwalkinbush set to join us in our. Number Two so
i've come to the conclusion that the twenty twenty five
twenty Twenty Six clemson tiger football team led By, k
klubnick is going to be the Most hyped clemson team
Outside Of, tiger, Town, right like you got the people
that cover the program that, will, say oh, you know,

(27:59):
this happens. That happens they can make a run to the,
national championship they can get to the college, football playoffs.
Et cetera but Outside Of tiger town there's been love for,
a while given the Fact of clemson's two national championships
in twenty sixteen and. Twenty eighteen but there's some gap
between that now and kind Of the tigers fell OFF
with Dj le unglolay, at quarterback and then you had

(28:20):
the disappointing first year With ka klubnick as the starting
quarterback For, the tigers but this Season with klubnick coming
back for his third years, The starter i'm gonna make
the argument after the conversations About k klubnick and his potential,
draft prospects WHICH again i think are ballooned well past
where they should be at, this point but there's this

(28:42):
Belief that clemson is not just gonna be one of
the best teams in the country, this year but maybe
one of the top two Teams. In america Led By
kate clumnick and again the guys you got on defense
With With peter WOODS. And, tj. Parker etc just there's
a lot lot of real belief, OUT there, i think

(29:03):
more than you've Had about clemson since perhaps the year
after they won the, national championship when they won fourteen
more games to go twenty nine to zero and get
to that national CHAMPIONSHIP. Against. Lsu well taking a look
at a couple of different spots on social media over,
the Weekend One adam brenneman putting out his post spring. Playoff,

(29:27):
projections brenneman who is a college football ANALYST With, cbs
sports He's got clemson as the number two rated team
In The College. Football playoff he Has the tigers going twelve.
And one He's Got penned state number one going twelve,
To one, Clemson two alabama three going eleven. And two

(29:49):
He's Got texas tech getting the final buy Of The
College football playoff with a ten to. Two record in the,
four seed he's also Got the south carol The game
cocks as they peak Over the fens to hang OUT
with us today In The College. Football playoff more on
that in. A minute the five Seed Is, ohio state
the reigning defending champions at eleven, to two hosting TWELVE,

(30:10):
seeded unlv who he predicts will go twelve. And one
He's got texas at eleven and two hosting a nine
To Three south carolina team as an. Eleven seed the
seventh SEED is Lsu. Hosting illinois that's the matchup that
would line Up, with clemson potentially Giving YOU clemson lsu
in the regular season Opener AND clemson lsu In The College.

(30:33):
Football playoff and then He's got oregon as the eighth
seed hosting number Nine Seed notre dame for the right
to go play top Seed At. Penn state that's. Just
One mark SCHLAYBALL from espn put out his post Spring
Projections penn, State one. Clemson two the tigers, previous ranking

(30:56):
according To shlay ball, was seventh but he's bumped him
up behind the backs Of, kde clubnick Playmakers Like BRYANT. Westco,
tj moore Bringing In, tristan smith the offensive line That
the tigers will have. This year there's real belief starting,
the fester maybe more so than SINCE like i said

(31:16):
twenty nineteen about how Good This clemson tiger team. Will
be do you? Buy in let me know in the
comments if you're watching. On TikTok Behind the Tigers And
penn state For sleigh ball at number three Is The
texas longhorns and He's got georgia at. Number four now
that's not a playoff projection the Way That adam, brenneman

(31:38):
did but Still if clemson's, number two they would be
the second seed In The College. Football playoff so a
couple of people already just over the weekend projecting an
elite Season. For clemson here's What schley BALL from espn had.

(32:04):
To say Much Like, Penn state clemson's offense is stacked
with a, talented quarterback deep wide, receiver corps and an
experienced offensive line. COMING back i want to go to
the deep wide receiver CORPS because i think people are
super Excited about bryant Westco About, antonio WILLIAMS About, tj

(32:28):
Moore About, tristan SMITH and i think everybody is forgetting
the Type Playmaker tyler brown can Be. For clemson that's
a part of that deep wide receiver corps that Schal ay.
Ball mentions he Said the tigers don't have a two
player attack at tailback and that remains their. Biggest concern after,

(32:49):
spring practice last Year's leading Russian field MafA departed FOR the.
Nfl course MafA was taken By The dallas cowboys and
Top Backup jay HAYNES towards acl IN The ac. Championship
games so there's still some questions at, running back but you.
Knew that they go on to say converted Wide Receiver
adam randall And Freshman david Izziamumey And gideon davidson might

(33:10):
all get. Significant carries davidson was the number three running
back in the class of twenty twenty five ACCORDING. To
espn he also goes on to Say that Clempsy coach
dablos when he also made a big move to shore up,
his defense which ranked next to last IN the accn
stopping the run in twenty, twenty four giving up one
hundred and sixty point six yards. Per game By Bringing

(33:32):
tom allen In From penn state also will help one
of those top transfers Out. Of purdue he had five
sacks last season for The boiler makers and could be
another important part of clemps's defensive line prowess in twenty. Twenty, five,
SO look i know you are a fan unless you're

(33:56):
a game cock peeking over the fence and hanging out
with us here On a. Monday afternoon so you could
continue to peek over the fence at the best radio
showing The naked but truth, be told when you dive
in and look at people nationally and their Focus, on
clemson it does somewhat feel like you're getting into a

(34:19):
bit of a.

Speaker 8 (34:20):
Time machine what's? A, jigawatt yes that's the way, it
feels a little, time travel a little back to.

Speaker 2 (34:33):
The future this feels eerily similar to The way clemson
was looked at just after their second, national title where
They throttled alabama forty four. To, sixteen Now This clemson
tiger team a year ago went Out to texas In
The College, football playoff played, a good, not great but
a good first round matchup Against. The longhorns but there's

(34:57):
a lot of belief that this team can be spent.
This year and it's not circulating from. The upstate it's
coming from the a. National audience quick break will put
a bow on our number one right after this final
segment of. Our one coming up in our number two
will be Joined by William. Qualkin bush, All right so
back To schlay ball's, top list BECAUSE again i Just

(35:19):
Mentioned penn State and clemson being number one and, number
two much like they Were In Adam Brenneman's College football.
Playoff prediction but what about the rest of. The Country
schlay Ball's got texas checking in at number Three and
georgia checking in at. Number Four ohio state Post spring top,

(35:44):
twenty Five the buckeyes come in at. NUMBER five lsu.
Is six big Matchup between CLEMSON and lsu coming up
to open, the season and maybe one of the better
quarterback matchups in the country with Garrett us meyer there
at quarterback For, The tigers Number Seven, notre dame and

(36:05):
we'll come back to some of these teams in. A
minute Number, eight oregon Number, nine alabama and NUMBER. Ten
byu Now For south, carolina fans probably a little bit
disappointed to not hear your name as one of the
top ten teams in, the Country especially givens some of
the Expectations Around. South carolina illinois checks in at. Number

(36:29):
eleven remember They Beat south carolina in their bowl matchup this.
Past season Number Twelve's, Arizona state Number Thirteen. South carolina
The game cocks were previously, ranked tenth but post spring
they come in at. Number thirteen we'll jump back into
The game cocks in. A minute Number Fourteen's, iowa STATE
fifteen smu out OF, the, Acc Sixteen texas, Tech seventeen,

(36:54):
Indiana Eighteen, kansas, State, nineteen florida, Twenty is michigan, Twenty
one miami, Twenty two louisville, Twenty THREE texas A and
m Twenty four old miss and number Twenty Five Oklahoma
brent vinnables And The. Oklahoma sooners so back to the
game coach real quick and What shle ball had to

(37:15):
say for Our game cock listeners peaking over. The events,
he said you know the key returning Players For south
Carolina Quarterback, leonora sellers Wide Receiver, mazio bennett Left Tackle,
josiah Thompson Safety, jalen kilgore Defensive End, dylan stewart Defensive
End brian, thomas junior AND Safety. Dq smith he talked

(37:36):
about the transfer, portal Editions Specifically Gabriel brownlow dindye who
transferred In FROM texas A. And m but Here's what
sleybell had to say about. Their outlook he said the
Game cox to made big Strides under shaneiember a, year
ago finishing the regular season with a six game. Winning
streak they were hard. To keep they worked hard To
keep sellers after he passed for twenty five hundred and

(37:57):
thirty four yards and eighteen touchdowns and seven and more
rushing touchdowns this. Past SEASON the ncaa hasn't yet To
approve faison's additional year, of Eligibility although beemer. Was hopeful
he ran for eleven hundred and nine yards with eight
Touchdowns At utah state in twenty. Twenty four That Being

(38:18):
rashaw Faisan From utah state running Back transfer. Portal edition
he also said a trio Of, Transfers, Brownlow dundee Murphy.
And cease we're in line to start defense after. Spring
Practice south carolina will play a difficult schedule IN, the
sec with road Games, AT, Missouri, lsu ole MISS and
A and m and home Games, Against, Vandy, kentucky Oklahoma.

(38:41):
And alabama it will also The game cops will Also
Play virginia Tech in atlanta And its august thirty, first
opener and we'll close the regular Season at Clemson. In Williams.
Brice stadium So that's schleybah and where He's Got south
carolina coming out of the spring at. Number thirteen so

(39:02):
both teams again college football playoff implications will certainly be
on the line in, that game you would Believe, in
november and both teams have a great chance of, getting in,
you know looking, at it one of the bigger surprises,
for ME and i think in large part it probably

(39:24):
has to do with the Fact That ohio state lost
so much, Talent Offensively Will, Howard Quin, shawn Judkins And
trevion henderson to starting. RUNNING backs, i mean those are
big losses and when you start talking about trying to

(39:44):
fill in the gaps for a Veteran Like will howard
with maybe a Freshman Like julian saying Or sophomore Lincoln
klin holds kind holds. Excuse me, you know trusting a
youthful quarterback is incredibly difficult at the. Collegiate level to

(40:08):
believe that a young player doesn't make a critical mistake
in a big ball game is something that is hard, to,
Imagine right young guys make. Big mistakes typically they get
into a. Pressure situation and this is, a Kid And,

(40:32):
julian saying who many people believe will be the starting
quarterback For the buckeyes five of twelve in, his career eighty,
four yards. One touchdown he's also just six foot one
and not that you gotta be prototypical six five, sixty
SIX but i think that to be willing To press

(40:52):
paul's on one of the top teams of the country
because of quarterback play says a lot about, you know
and again it's just one, man's opinion but probably says
a lot about the difficulty of being elite at a.
Young age you saw it With k Clemnick. At clemson,
you know it was difficult for him in his first
year to. Be elite and when you Look At ohio

(41:15):
state their schedule this, Coming season they'll Open with texas,
at home they go across the Country, to washington they Go,
to illinois they Go, to wisconsin They Host, penn state They're. At,
michigan like those aren't easy games. To, Win now they're

(41:39):
fortunate They miss oregon in the, regular season but likely would.
Catch them, you know if you really Buy Into ohio
state being one of the top teams In The big ten,
this year they likely Run into oregon In The big ten.
Championship GAME but i think you See the buckeyes a

(42:00):
little bit dipped In schleigh ball's, latest rankings but calls
of a young quarterback and his development through the first
half of the season could be key in determining whether
Or Not ohio state is a threat to repeat or
a team that may play their way off Of The
Collge football playoff. OR out i should say of the coach,
Football plaoff, all right quick brat will. Come Back william

(42:21):
caulkomich joins us around the band and stay with us.

Speaker 1 (42:25):
Each Time Clipson sports Talk With. Lowton swan.

Speaker 2 (43:06):
It is our. Number two that's drivetime right here on.
The show The shakesa Salay And Clympson Sports salt long
swinding up, With you William qualking bush joining the program
momentarily and again the Show that Shakes the southway and
brought you in part by good friends Over At mets
plumbing seven three, two, drip drip. Drip drip you know,
the jingle seventh three. Two Drip That's, mets Plumbing mets plumbing.

(43:29):
Dot com, All right qualks on the, Guest, line quat
welcome in. MY man i hope you're having a. Great.

Speaker 9 (43:34):
Week swine, it's wet. It's rainy it feels like an.
Extra mondaker, you know a lot of folks had A busy. Mother's,
day jack, You know i'm. Feeling.

Speaker 2 (43:46):
Good yeah it sounds like you guys got the torrential
downpours there In. THE upstate i know it's supposed to
rain throughout the week Up until friday here and Sadly,
for clempson baseball kind of been raining. Series losses they
follow two games to one To The Duke, blue devils
their third consecutive. Acc loss. LAST week i, asked you

(44:07):
do we press the? Panic button do we press the?
Panic button there's a lot of panic pressers out there
after another. Weekend, LOSS.

Speaker 9 (44:17):
Yeah, I mean i think you're probably a little closer
to the panic. BUTTON now i try to look at,
it rationally, YOU know i understand like.

Speaker 6 (44:25):
Fans don't and.

Speaker 9 (44:26):
That's Fine like i'm a fan, of teams And because,
I'm not i'm. NOT closed i, don't know, YOU know
i don't know. THE particulars i tend to react more
strongly to wins and more strongly to losses. As Well
So i'm i'm not catching this persion to ANYBODY when i. Say,
This now i've seen some overreactions to. The weekend but
HERE'S what i will. Tell you this team is a shell.

(44:49):
Of ITSELF and I don't i don't just, MEAN physically
i don't just mean playing the game a. CERTAIN caliber i,
mean emotionally like this team has for for one reason,
or another this team has lost. Its punch it has lost.
Its flight, not totally but. Consider This, On saturday clinton

(45:11):
was up six to one after an inning and proceeded
to give up fourteen unanswered runs over a span of. Six,
innings okay that was stile offensive Innings that clinton could
have scored while dud was, coming back and ultimately Just
pounded clemson. Into oblivion in that, Seventh inning clinson did
not score. At All, On sunday clemson goes up to

(45:32):
nothing in the second inning and proceeds to give up
eight unanswered RUNS over i believe a four innings Fan
until duke got up eight, to two After which clinson
got a couple, of runs waiting the game to make
it eight. To four in those, two instances it's not
Just that Duke. Dominated clinton it was at six to
one and at two, To nothing clinson was. A Head

(45:54):
when dukes dug out had, More energy they had a
level of confidence that they. Were exuing they were they
were pitching as if they had. NO fear i won't say,
no respect but they for sure our pitching Carefully. Around
clinton they were going Right at. CLINTON hitters, i mean
you Want, To clinton Johnny guat. Duke hitters they paid,
for it and that to me is the reason hit.

(46:16):
The panic but, you know you do was a series
and don't he stay you don't, play well especially with
what they have put on, their resume, you know over
the course of, the season and, go okay well that's
that's a. One Off florida state's are good, you know
if it's a, good barometer they didn't get. It, back
well they were close to winning the Series At. Florida
state they were also close to. Getting swept so it's
sort of a razor. That series but you can, even say,

(46:38):
you know those are two teams that are, top eight,
top twelve top sixteen in. The country they were the
top two teams in THE a sec at. The time
And so, i'll say we'll get. Back home it's the
team that's now one of the two deaths in, the
league and you'll. Get right and then You win friday's
game and, you're like you know what to find a
way at the offense puts a, little better and then
the pitching you let. Them down and the offense was

(46:58):
that able to stop. The LEE and i think that's
the biggest thing is, Right. Now swanny this team does
not have, An element it does not have, A player
it does not have a facet of the game that
it believes can help it adopt. The bleeding and the
reason it can say that is because there are two
consecutive games now at the end of this series where

(47:20):
they've not been able to. Do it with a picture by,
THE way i mean exactly the kind of, ball probass
exactly the kind of emotional course of, the game exactly
the kind of philosophy and mentality and focus and concentration
and effort that we used to Seeing from clinton coming
Out of. Dukes DUGOUT so i would not believe maybe

(47:41):
for being discouraged or what they've Seen. From clinton AND like,
i said this is sort of a point where it's
hard to come up with chaddiots and reasons why at
this point this team just isn't playing very good baseball at.

Speaker 2 (47:53):
The moment, bottom, line well, YOU know i think it's
a unique situation because at the beginning of, the season
it's almost like it was the inverse, Of that like
this team was having a lot, of fun they were
finding ways to win. Ball games they maybe weren't playing the,
best baseball but they were a. Confident group, YOU know
i tend to look at a Guy Like ericon BACKACHE

(48:16):
and i feel LIKE and i feel like his message
is good after. The, games so, you know obviously this
weekend AT pitt i think anything worse than winning that
series or maybe sweeping it is a pretty pretty big
disappointment given Where the. Panthers ARE but, i mean what
do you kind of expect to see from? These Guys

(48:38):
because backage to ME like i want to go fight.
FOR him i know you listen to the things he
has to say after. The games how has this group
fallen off to the point of where they are in? Your, OPINION.

Speaker 9 (48:50):
Well i think they're an injury, parted it you, know
when and it really started at the beginning of. THE
year i mean of Being Critical jimmy bellinger and to
be honest with, THIS morning i think. That's ludicrous. Consider
This the tigers had six players that were competing for
three location spots going into, the season and three of them.

(49:14):
Got hurt, SO already i mean that six competitors for three,
rotation spots including aating knock is one. Of those that's
a pretty. Deep register who knocked out five. Of those
that means you have. No depth they had to draw
from their, bullpn DEPTH which i thought was the strength of,
the team the shoot number, of arms and they felt
that they could count On, With Disworth garrison mosstead in.

(49:36):
The Back joe allen got like that Doing uh. HUDSTON winging,
i mean like you guys coming in that you felt really, Good,
about well then you had to draw from that if
but just worked in. A Rotation ethan darten. Gets hurt
YOU Bring dj bailey into the rotation that has a
draw from bullplean depth, as well and then you have

(49:58):
injuries to Position players tristan, that is they're, runing now
even the key piece in. The rotation You got jared
purifying this a week And then tristan mcclagg was the
best Player. On tuesday from the vision play Standpoint A.
Coastal carolina here it's risk in the. First base is
an available to play? THIS weekend, i mean at some
point you just you don't have, the depth even if
you are the clonket war IS an nba a. Perfect

(50:21):
example they're at deep team we go, ken deep which
you lose the long. Two guys all of a sudden
you're not. Deep anymore and it's not the coaches ball
that they didn't just wave amantic love goodtybody go and
make two more. PLAYERS appear i send this, many, times
SWAMMING and i think it's worth for beating over and.
Over again next man sounds really good as long as

(50:41):
there's the, next man which you can't just magically create.
One either there is one or, there is and sometimes.
There isn't and you, KNOW what i Park To john
ripan on radio, to day every button, he's pushing, every level.
He's pulling every player he's riding in the lineup right
now is. Playing well and it's because there's a level of.
Cap manson it's a over the chickney of the. Eight

(51:02):
thing there's a level of confidence pumping down the loster
that everybody's gonna. Get done it's kind of the opposite.
Of baseball we're in the pass to write the names
in there and, they produce to put the pitches, out
there and. They produce, right now they're Just not and
when that's listen, as open when what's that admits you
doesn't see a lot of healthy options. Right now so
it's that that makes it. Really difficult and then you,

(51:24):
KNOW what i don't get a, long insury but this
is this is kind of the biggest. One too it's
hard to, be energized it's hard to. Be energetic it's
hard to, have leadership some sort of tendile leadership when
you are either not playing or if you are playing
but are not. Playing well and, RIGHT now i don't
think any of constant leaders are playing well enough to,
be EFFECTIVE and i think a lot of their leaders

(51:46):
are sitting on a beach where there's only so much you.

Speaker 2 (51:47):
Can, do man it's going to be something to see
what happens with this team from number two in the
country to losing three consecutive series, and now, YOU know
i don't know qual if they could play their way
off of hosting a regional given how good, they were
but they've certainly put it. INTO question i think that

(52:08):
might be the best way to put. It Again follow
Clawk on Twitter At quawk talk every day from noon till.
Three o'clock out Of the Bounds With quaker band one
five to five Of the row In. The Upstate, all
right You Mentioned. John ripman i've got some audio coming
up from his post game After The lady tigers go
out there and take care of business on the, Softball,
FIELD quawk i couldn't be, more impressed just you know

(52:30):
the nature of that Game, on saturday going up against
a top Team Like, florida state one of the few
teams in the country that's regarded as one that Might
threaten oklahoma their run of four consecutive, national championships and
There the tigers were top of the seventh down, by
one a two run bomb to take. The, lead man

(52:51):
what an electric moment for a program that started three
and six. This, season man that.

Speaker 6 (52:57):
Was.

Speaker 2 (52:57):
AWESOME blick i.

Speaker 9 (53:01):
Think it's unbelievable what they've done. This year, consider, This
OKAY and i know there were a lot of folks
out on, The outside and again back TO what i,
said before sometimes on the outside you have lin. That
information you just use the information that. You have there
were people Asking If john ridman had lost a lot
of room. Last year there were people wondering why that
team didn't achieved. Very much that people were bringing up

(53:22):
some THINGS that i thought there were gross mischaracterizations of
what happened in, His. STATE virginia i thought it was
very Unpair Of. JOHN ribmon i thought so at, the
time and that that HOUR before i KNEW that i
was very gonna meet him, IN person i thought it
was unfair of him what. Happened THERE so i just
people were really blaming him for a lot of what happened,
last YEAR and i really think he was put in

(53:43):
a no win situation on a number. Of times now
you fast forward to, this year you Lose, McKenzie clark
who's a. Legitimate pro You Lose, valerie kegh lose a.
Legitimate pro you lose almost all of your pitching that
it kept you in so many games when an offense
was sort of figuring. It out you lost a couple
of fantastic sixty six year leaders of Lel and nWo
And ariel Od And, jojo hyatt And you bree in his,

(54:05):
freshman class and you start three, And six and here
are the things that they've done just in the past
twenty to twenty five games that nobody in course of
their history has done that core that was valued throughout.
Their careers they had not beaten the number one team in.
The country they Went. At tennessee they had not won
a weekend series against the. Leading deponent they went on
the Road, at stanford including a company on one on

(54:28):
Win on sunday to quints. That series they had Not Beaten,
florida state and they had not won AN eight, sc
championship despite ample opportunities to. Do vote they do both
of those things on the same day on a home
Line By, kylie johnson who wasn't even in the lineup
the day before and had thirty hits over the. Previous
month that's the kind of Program That john rickman has.

(54:51):
Right now they have, gotten, great great great. PITCHING performances
I Think race basinger has done. The job and then
the bullpenn work that they've gotten over the course of
the last few few games has. Been unbelievable they've done
so well out of their bullpen when a variety of
ways with, you know especially In the begger games against

(55:15):
ranked teams without, hike outs with a lot of pitch
contacts up of trying to get out. Of this they've
earned everything they've been given this year with a young
core of freshmen that have reset the the sort of
love For soft On and jolian playing for the older
players that seem to have lost it with some of
the pressure in the last couple. Of years Maddy orn

(55:36):
avage The year i've talked about what ride the pressure
of the preshman. Have been this team is good enough
to Go To. Oklahoma city this is the best Team
That john ridman, has had and there are other teams in,
my opinion we're not as balanced as this one that
have gone. Really CLOSE so i expect this team to make.
A run i expect them to play well, this WEEKEND
and I Think john RIDMAN is i think he should

(55:58):
have Been Acc. COACHING year i think it Should Be
national coach Of. The year with the job of, this
team it's one of the Great Coaching jobson champus at
that Decade.

Speaker 2 (56:08):
On twitter At qual. Talk again that Regional in tigertown
Beginning on friday with a MATCHUP Against usc Upstate for
clipson at. Four thirty, before That The kentucky wildcats In
The northwestern wildcats will face off at. Two pm And
qualk i mentioned, this Earlier that kentucky team is one
of those teams That beat clemson in those first nine

(56:30):
games of the. Regular, season obviously, you know as, you
mentioned it was a. Young team they're playing neutral site
games and all the, you know the way baseball does
THEIR little i almost deem the. PRESEASON tournaments i know they're,
in season but, you know when you look back, at,
that man what a big moment for this group if,
you know not only can they turn their schedule around
the way, they did but if they do happen to

(56:52):
face one of the teams that beat them earlier in,
the season to perhaps exact a little bit, of revenge if, You, will.

Speaker 9 (56:59):
Yeah they get to a tall that's. Pretty, COOL yeah
i thought they got a. Good, DRAWL look i Mean At.
NORTHWESTERN clinton i thinkst two and one all Time. Is
northwestern they beat them in a couple of games IN
The Acc Big, ten challenge maybe three, IN one i.

Speaker 5 (57:14):
Can't.

Speaker 9 (57:14):
Remember uh they they played well yess of two. Years
ago they lost to him in one of those Tournaments
in florida back in twenty. Twenty. Two uh and Then the, Kentucky,
GAME yeah i mean answered one. Arm lost they had
a couple of those in, real WATER and i think
the good chance to a Toller what kentucky is not
playing great?

Speaker 10 (57:32):
Right.

Speaker 9 (57:32):
Now uh they got Ronold by georgia in the first
game IN the, fdc tournament got ronolds Twice. AT texas
i think they got one series win on. The air
that's the Team that conscion should be able to handle
with the way that they're playing. Right now, First. Out
northwestern we Went to utla on the final weekend of
the regular season and took two out of thirty For,
the brewers the team that went forty nine, and ten

(57:55):
two of those losses Were. In northwestern so if you're
asking me waiting tho the team. IS one i want, to,
Say finally northwestern, right now maybe couldn't get a little,
more talented but For, Turn ord western's playing. Better softball all,
IN all I think clinch they got a. Better call They,
Say tennessee we've got a lot of state Team at Clinch,
the dee but maybe they've been in tooing And A

(58:16):
north carolina team that's got the nation's LEADER in RBI
and i won for a. Game, HERE regional i, THINK
maybe i think Take pip off a pretty. Cup roller
there are some.

Speaker 10 (58:25):
Other teams that Have upper road generate Ahead, of PUNCH
and I actually i don't think it'll be A. TAKE
logg i Think THAT like, I said i think once
The north western down at, the END but i think
it's a regional Field, that clinton, relatively speaking should be able.

Speaker 2 (58:38):
To Handle william Qualg and bush with us considerable rainstorms
there in. The upstage as he's talking with us year
for a few, more minutes call final a couple. Of
things we've talked a little bit About kay clubmick and the.
Expectations there but over the past week, Or so i've seen,
you know you had the post spring REPORT from espn

(58:58):
come out with the Rankings having clemson up at, number
two Behind Only. PENN state i saw another report that
had a college football playoff laid out where It Was
penn state One and. Clemson two, you know it looks like,
either Way Whether tom allen Was in clemson Or In,
happy valley it was certainly gonna be a situation where
these two teams were in. The mix what are your

(59:20):
thoughts on some of the early aspirations For This clemson
tiger ball club on? The gridiron, you.

Speaker 7 (59:26):
Know it's a, Great. QUESTION swanny I would, I mean
i would characterize a lot of this as just flat out.

Speaker 2 (59:33):
Rat boys and we had.

Speaker 7 (59:34):
A conversation a few days ago on the air about
just the number of national folks that are saying all kinds,
of great glorious Things about clemson team. Coming up and
the one of the things that we're noticing is like
the last three or, four years it's been the. Local
conversation it's, been like, you know you can squint and
See where clemson's got a really, good team and they're

(59:55):
almost trying to convince the. People, OUTSIDE well i think
you're in a little bit of a day. Game win
it feels like there are folks on the inside that,
are going wait, a minute we got a few, questions
here and it's the national folks that are quite sure
and that you Know what.

Speaker 2 (01:00:10):
I'm saying.

Speaker 7 (01:00:11):
IT'S dangerous, i mean, you know nobody's gonna. Get hurt
but one of the things that's dangerous about it is
that that's how you get. Bust labeled, to you when
the national, excuse me when the national media sort of
lackes onto a narrative that ends up being, not true they.
Blame you like if if the, national media if the
national media is too high on a team and they

(01:00:32):
should have, known better and then the team underperforms in,
their mind then they call them A bus they act
like it's. Their fault, to me we do this all
the time, with players and we do this sometimes with
teams that we expect them to skip steps and then
they have a sort of logical of sin and, we, think,
oh man well that's a. Disappointing year well, not really
we were. Just WRONG but i think that's kind of
a dangerous place. To be uh when you're when you

(01:00:55):
Consider that clinton was one and two in its last. Three,
games uh down. The strets they needed a miracle field
goal after a significant kickoff return to be able TO
beat smu and go to the playoff in, any way shape,
or form and understand why they're getting a lot. Of love,
but man it feels like we're skipping steps with this
team a. Little bit uh whatever. You said you look around, the,

(01:01:16):
Country though clinton does stack up pretty well on paper
with just about. Everybody else so it's weird that you
got national media almost trying to convince the folks here
that their team is better than they think it is
AND that i don't see any reason for that train
to stop rolling down the tracks between Now.

Speaker 2 (01:01:32):
IN august i said it before you. CAME on i
think it's the most hype Around the clipson team perhaps
since after the twenty eighteen, national championship and that's a
scary place. To, be, qualt buddy always, appreciate you, My, man.

Speaker 7 (01:01:44):
Swanny always appreciate the chance to talk.

Speaker 4 (01:01:46):
To you have a, good.

Speaker 2 (01:01:47):
Week buddy there. You Guys William, qualkin bush, he said
he told me he got when we got off. The air, He,
SAID hey I when i pulled it to the, GROCERY
store i turned my bluetooth OFF so i could talk
to you on. The phone did the equality? GET better, i, said,
oh yeah you can believe how? Much rain, He, SAID
dude i could hardly. Hear you it was raining, so
HARD so i was trying to. Speak up. All right

(01:02:07):
We Mentioned john ritman just a little, Bit ago clemson head.
Softball coach we'll hear his conversation with the media Following
the tigers being announced yesterday as the eleventh seed in
THE Nc. DOUBLEA tournament a, quick break we'll. Come back
we'll hear From. Coach ritman right, After This clemson sports
saw the show Of the Chase to south Antheky To
william qualkinbush for joining us just a few. MINUTES ago

(01:02:28):
i hate it, was raining but we're glad to have.
Him Anyway, John ritman clemson head, softball coach met with
the media yesterday After the tigers were announced as the
number eleven seed IN The. Ncuba tournament they will host
a regional beginning. This WEEKEND as i Mentioned With william
qualkinbush just a little, bit ago You'll get Kentucky and
northwestern facing off at two Thirty. On friday that's, excuse

(01:02:51):
me two O'clock. On friday that game IS On, espn
plus And then CLEMSON And usc upstate ON The acc
network at four. Thirty Pm Here's john ritman meeting with
the media yesterday after the announcement was Made about clemson's.

(01:03:12):
Postseason destination really excited this time.

Speaker 6 (01:03:16):
Of year obviously to be hosting At.

Speaker 5 (01:03:18):
Mcquarter stadium, little BIASED but i think we have the
best fans in the country for. College softball our team
has worked extremely hard this year for. This opportunity just
one HARD fought, acc tournament, three games were behind every
game and found a way to come back. And win
and just really love the resiliency of. This team a

(01:03:40):
lot of, great leadership a lot of really talented. Young players,
you know we played a very difficult schedule to get
to this point and our team has earned everything that
we got. This year and, you know to be able
to host, a REGIONAL like, i said is a great
opportunity for, our fans, our team and we're looking forward
to a great environment and a great weekend against some really.

Speaker 2 (01:04:03):
Tough Competition john riptman was asked about his emotions when
that last out was made in THE A sec Championship Over.
Florida state, you know it's.

Speaker 5 (01:04:12):
Pretty remarkable the, first year full season of programs twenty,
twenty one and we clinched the REGULAR season acc title
Up at syracuse on the last day of, the season
and that was a. Special moment we've been close IN
The acc, tournament twice in twenty one Losing the duke
in a close game one, to nothing and then in

(01:04:34):
twenty two Losing To florida state eight to six in
a back and, forth battle.

Speaker 6 (01:04:39):
And then we.

Speaker 5 (01:04:40):
Missed it, you know made the semi finals the next,
two years and then to get back to the final,
this year and just the road to, the final being
Down to virginia four to three in the sixth inning
and coming back and winning that with a big grand
slam from one of Our Freshman, taylor pipkins and then
being down nine to Two Against virginia tech and just
the grit of our team to come back in those

(01:05:01):
conditions and.

Speaker 6 (01:05:02):
Just find a way to win. The game it was.

Speaker 5 (01:05:05):
Pretty special and then Yesterday Against florida's state to get
a great pitching Performance from Respacing and brooke mccobbn and,
you know the big Hit From. Kylie johnson it's just
it's indicative of this, team that, you know it's somebody
different every game that steps up and and uh so
it's been quite a journey to get to. This point

(01:05:27):
one of the Things that i've learned over my years
is you got to, enjoy it enjoy, the ride and
just really take care of. The process and that's something
that we've done. All year and it's been just a
wonderful season from a three and six start to now,
you know being able, to host to see a regional
and just to see the growth of the team has been.

Speaker 2 (01:05:47):
Really special given the Success That john ritman has Had,
at clemson he was asking about people that maybe doubted
him when he made his move From The west Coast
at Stanford. To clemson, you know it really happened.

Speaker 5 (01:05:58):
So quick, you know we uh we're sitting here in
this beautiful stadium and uh, you know as a coach
to be able to watch this being built from the
ground up and then build your team from the ground.

Speaker 6 (01:06:10):
Up as an opportunity that not knew too many people
get in.

Speaker 5 (01:06:13):
This business and just very grateful for, Our Administration, clemson university,
our fans and mostly. Our players, you know there is
a core group of players that help build this Program with,
without them we wouldn't be where we're, at today and
so it's really special and it's a. Great, story Uh

(01:06:35):
the clemson. Softball story it's it's it's. Not over we're still.
Writing it, and uh like, you, said though in our,
sixth season to make postseason, every year to host, you
know this will be our.

Speaker 6 (01:06:47):
Third regional we've Hosted two.

Speaker 5 (01:06:49):
Super regionals, you know it's it's kind of storybook and
BUT like, i said we're. Not satisfied we've got a
lot of business to take care of and and looking
forward to the challenge of.

Speaker 2 (01:06:58):
This Postseason john ritman was also asked about it's not how,
you start, you know three, and six it's about how
you finish and what can they take from that storyline and. Move,
FORWARD yeah, i.

Speaker 6 (01:07:08):
Mean, you know obviously a rough start with kind of a,
new team, you KNOW and i credit a lot of
it to.

Speaker 5 (01:07:13):
Our seniors, you know we have a group that has
has been very successful in their. Career here but we
had a big influx of new players and used the
transfer Portal With reesep Bassinger And brooke monchuck and had
to kind of.

Speaker 6 (01:07:28):
Figure out our pitching staff early in the season.

Speaker 5 (01:07:30):
And had to get the younger players used to playing
against some tough competition and we threw them in the
fire the first two weekends and ended up going three,
And six and, you know, from there it's just all
about making adjustments and having a growth mindset and the
players buying into the system and continuing to work hard
and continuing to believe in our objectives.

Speaker 6 (01:07:54):
And what we want to accomplish as.

Speaker 5 (01:07:55):
A team and you don't do it without great, you
know teammates and great camaraderieth into program and especially, our values.
You KNOW and i think our upper classmen have bought
into what has made this program special and they've, you
know kind of transformed our youth into, that culture and
you're seeing the results of.

Speaker 2 (01:08:14):
That today clemson heads Offtball Coach john ripman was also
asking if you, felt like given the Success that clemson
had in the run they've, been on if the eleven seed. Was.
JUSTIFIED yeah i.

Speaker 5 (01:08:24):
Think so, YOU know, i mean we've played a very
tough schedule. This year don't envy. THE committee, i mean
it's a tough job. Every year we know that in
the postseason to get to where we want, to go
you got to be some really. TOUGH teams, i mean
to WIN the. Acc tournament we had To, Beat Virginia,
virginia Tech And, florida state so, you Know The Regional
Super Regionals world series is going to be. No DIFFERENT

(01:08:45):
and i think it's a good SEED for, us eleven
considering we were on the bubble a week ago and
didn't know if we're going to HOST. A nott to
be the eleven seed is a great accomplishment for.

Speaker 2 (01:08:55):
Our program ripman was also asked about whether or not
he kind of know to some of the Newcomers Like
rees bessinger celebrating and, you know being able to pull.

Speaker 6 (01:09:04):
This, off yeah there's. NO question, i think.

Speaker 5 (01:09:06):
YOU know i think the players were so excited last
night after. THE win i mean they wanted to stay
in their uniforms for the, flight home So that i'll tell.
You something but it's a, special GROUP and i think
when you have players that have never been to, the
postseason who have never experienced the ride that we're getting
ready to, go on it's special, for them.

Speaker 6 (01:09:26):
You know and even for. Our returners they don't take it.

Speaker 5 (01:09:28):
For granted they know how tough it is to get
to where we want, to GO and i think it's
just an appreciation and a attitude that.

Speaker 6 (01:09:37):
We've had all year of just bring.

Speaker 5 (01:09:39):
It on whatever, it, is, adversity, success, rain snow, you
know getting stuck, in airport it's, hard practices hard weight,
room workouts whatever. It is we've had this bring it,
on MENTALITY and i think all of our team has bought.
Into THAT so i think they all appreciate where we
come as a program.

Speaker 2 (01:09:55):
This, Year, Quick great we'll come back with more On.
A monday stay with us up to Sports talt Low
and swan On a, monday again Thanking To. William qwalkinbush
don't forget if you're Up, in tigertown Check Out alumni
hall on the Corner of Campus On college avenue In
downtown clemson for all your Officially licensed, clemson, merchandise hats,
t shirts, tailgate gear stickers for your vehicle and More At,

(01:10:16):
alumni hall one of our sponsors Online At alumni hall.
Dot com, clempson students faculty in all military get ten
percent off of shopping, in store and don't forget to
ask them About Their alumni hall rewards past program so
that you could save money while Shopping At. Alumni Hall
It's alumni Hall where tiger fans Shop now tiger fans
were In the upstate this past weekend. For graduation more

(01:10:39):
On the clemson, graduates momentarily but a really cool moment,
took place and it was a viral Moment When, grace
clements Daughter Of, Jim Clemens Clemson, university president who is
a graduate Of The Clemson, life program jumped into her
father's arms. To, celebrate now the two had done this

(01:11:00):
before During The clemson life ceremony and it worked. Out
swimmingly in, this, Moment Though Clement's Jim president clements lost
his balance and he and, his Daughter amazing grace went
crashing to. The ground it, pure joy, you know a
moment of just celebratory fashion for their daughter graduating From

(01:11:21):
The Clemson, life Program And The today show actually featured
them on The program today and of Course The today
show In the morning co hosted by former wistv anchor
And former Wolford Graduate. Craig melvin here's a portion of
that moment the way they shared it On The Today Show.

Speaker 6 (01:11:47):
Favorite story Of.

Speaker 2 (01:11:48):
The morning here we are back eight fourteen with a
Very sweet today exclusive.

Speaker 11 (01:11:53):
Its graduation season and a moment of pure joy shared
between the President Of clemson university and his own graduating
daughter is winning. Hearts everywhere we're going to talk to.
Them live in just, a moment There's. Amazing grace but
first to look at the hug scene around.

Speaker 6 (01:12:08):
The world.

Speaker 11 (01:12:12):
It was celebration in its, purest form leading to a,
joyful accident forever marking the. Monumental Milestone clemson University Graduate
grace clements excitedly taking center stage to receive, her diploma
leaping into her, father's arms prompting both to be floored
literally by the thrill of. It all that sweet moment,

(01:12:36):
going Viral with grace's, Proud father Jim the President, of
clemson saying though he hit, the turf he wouldn't.

Speaker 2 (01:12:43):
Change, a thing and it was an incredible moment just
for everybody in attendance to See, THE today sho did
a fantastic job not only covering, that moment but Covering
What clemson's life program has done for so, many individuals
and not, only that But The shepherd hotel in other

(01:13:04):
venues in And around clemson that are making a difference
in the lives of many students who in the past
perhaps thought they wouldn't have a, chance to, you know
celebrate in this way and graduate. From college but now
Through The Clemson life program and other programs like it
across the country that allows men and women with intellectual

(01:13:27):
disabilities to go to college prepare for the, working world,
you know learn in a fun environment with. Their PEERS
and i believe it could be a two or a four,
year program depending on what's necessary for. The individual we've
seen students now From The Clemson life program accepted, into

(01:13:52):
FRATERNITIES and i think just, you know from the standpoint
of if you are one of, those parents maybe, more
specifically and you Graduated, from clemson or you Graduated from
Wofford Like craig melvin, or wherever and you had a
child that was born with some sort of, intellectual disability

(01:14:13):
you might have thought early on in, their life what's what?
Is there, you know what's going to be available? For
them and how WHAT am i going to do or
WHAT can i provide for them in terms of the
opportunity for, you know post high school type education. And

(01:14:34):
work and, you know this is precisely what this program.
Is for and you know in those moments you see
all of the responses to people on. Social media here's
More From president clements and his comments after he got
back to his feet and then ultimately back to.

Speaker 12 (01:14:54):
The, Podium grace i'm so incredibly proud of you and
all The other Clemson and, life graduates AND apparently i
need to get back in the gym and start lifting.

Speaker 2 (01:15:10):
Weights more.

Speaker 11 (01:15:12):
According To, The University clemson life is a two to
four year program designed with the goal of producing self
sufficient young adults with. Intellectual disabilities students take academic courses
and learn, practical skills preparing them for employment and.

Speaker 12 (01:15:28):
Independent Living clemson life provides a collegiate experience for several
young people who thought they might never. Attend College and
i'm thrilled that today we will acknowledge their hard work and.
Their Accomplishments For.

Speaker 11 (01:15:44):
Amazing grace a nickname from. Her parents it's her radiance
shining from within that makes those all around her excited
for what's.

Speaker 2 (01:15:52):
To come and Then The today show would go on
To Interview president clements and, his wife and they Would
interview grace and talk with her about her moment and
the dog comes. Walking in but you know when when Schools,
like clemson who's sort of been one of the headliners
of programs, like this when when they create you know.

(01:16:17):
These opportunities they don't create it for the pad on.
The back they create it because it's the right thing.
To do and, other programs or i should say Universities Like,
south carolina, for example The game cocks have something Now
Called carolina life and it is a very similar program

(01:16:40):
which allows, peer mentoring post high school options and access
to higher education for the individual for individuals who may
not have. Had that and this crosses boundaries of what
team you root for, or whatever because situations like this
can affect any family and for those individuals to now

(01:17:04):
have these opportunities and For amazing grace's moment where if he,
catches her it's not the viral moment that. It became
and now more people out there will hear About The
clemson life program and other schools across the country could
potentially embrace this and bring more opportunity to these individuals
that certainly, deserve it and it's a great way to

(01:17:27):
set them up to make an impact of their own.
In society it's. Really cool, all right, quick break we'll
put the ball on. The show.

Speaker 6 (01:17:35):
What have you done for?

Speaker 2 (01:17:36):
Me lately.

Speaker 6 (01:17:38):
It's a. Fair question just don't lose sight of the.
Bigger picture.

Speaker 2 (01:17:43):
Don't.

Speaker 6 (01:17:44):
Forget history lucky for Us, at clemson the answers to
the questions what have you done for? Me lately and
what have? You done always are.

Speaker 9 (01:17:55):
The same.

Speaker 2 (01:18:01):
We win final segment On a, monday afternoon, all right

(01:18:52):
playing catch up here on THE N b a playing
catch up here on the N, h L. The, nba
however it's. Been. Weird Tonight new york looks to take
a Stranglehold on boston In. The east they're up two games.
To one the home team has not won a. Game
yet boston saved themselves from the brink of elimination when

(01:19:14):
they Win in. Game three that SET for espn at.
Seven thirty then at ten O'CLOCK, On espn Minnesota Leads
golden state two games. To One steph curry being out
there obviously is a. Huge blow is a huge blow For.
The warriors then on the, flip side talking about a,

(01:19:36):
Big Blow donovan mitchell For the cavs is Iffy for,
game five kind of talked about some of the situations
with players being injured and the impact that it. Can
Have The indiana pacers dominating that series, Right now But
If donovan mitchell can't go for the second best team in,
the league the second best team in the league for the,

(01:19:58):
entire Season the cleveland cav who are the number one
seed In. The east they are in big trouble Obviously
Because tyrese haliburton And the pacers are on the brink.
Of Advancing and I'm sure quak's excited about it because
He's a. Pacer guy they're up three games. To, one
again that game's. Not tonight just, To tonight Boston And,

(01:20:19):
New york Minnesota And. Golden, state remember If the, knicks
win they would take a three to. One lead If
The minnesota, timberwolves win they would take a three to
one Lead. Out west now over In. The west on the,
other Side the thunder even their series With the nuggets two.
To two this looks like it's gonna be one that

(01:20:39):
comes that goes, seven games comes down to the wire
and kind. Of surprising But, the nuggets, you know we
kind of Questioned the nuggets and the decision to fire their,
head coach what seven eight games before the end of,
the season when they got Rid Of. Mike, malone instead

(01:21:02):
they turned the keys Over To, david adelman, and bang
they've really kind of had control of this series Over
the thunder and it's really turned out that, You Know
oklahoma city has played from, behind twice meaning they went

(01:21:23):
down one game to done and. Tied it they went
down two games to one and. Tied it they've yet
to be, you know the team in the cat, bird
seat so, to speak in terms of wins and losses.

Speaker 3 (01:21:34):
In.

Speaker 2 (01:21:34):
This, series now tomorrow, seven o'clock You'll get Indiana, and
Cleveland the pacers with a chance, to advance and you'll
get at nine point THIRTY on T. And t both of,
these games by, the way You'll get Denver And oklahoma
city with a chance for somebody to creep one step
towards the. Conference finals now IN, the nhl don't, look,

(01:21:59):
now wow but it's a big night For Hour. Carolina
hurricanes they're up two games to One. Over washington put
the smoke job On the capitals in their last game
out seven o'clock TONIGHT On tnt Carolina. And washington then at,
Nine thirty edmonton's up two games to one over Over
The Las Vegas. Golden knights that's nine to Thirty ON.

(01:22:24):
True tv also IN, the nhl the playoffs look. Like this,
So far you've Got The maple leafs And the panther
series tied at two games apiece In. The east the
winner of that series will be the one That the
capitals Or the hurricanes will face, off with and Then
the oilers And The golden knights will await the winner
Of The dallas stars In The. Winnipeg Jets the stars

(01:22:47):
lead that series two games. To One so. I'm liking
i'm LIKING what i see From The, carolina hurricanes and
it would be nice if they were to go out
and put another dub on the board and push the
series out three games. To one, tonight again they won
four to OH on i believe That. Was saturday all

(01:23:09):
the days are all the days are starting to. Run
together but four OH did i say three? TO oho
i meant four. To OH if i said three, TO
oho i meant four, to oh four to Oh on
saturday For The, carolina Hurricanes winning game three and taking
a two to one. Series advantage so there. You go
lots to talk about for sure over the next twenty. Four.

(01:23:33):
Hours again Congratulations to clemson softball Head Coach john ripman
their FIRST Ever acc tournament championship and eleventh seed IN the,
ncaa tournament And like, QUALK said i think they got
a pretty. Good, draw obviously you know it's gonna take

(01:23:55):
your best effort to Get, past kentucky giving the fact
that they beat you early. This season but it's a pretty,
SQUARE draw, i think given kind Of where clemson was
maybe a few. Weeks back, and now unlike the, baseball,
team right unlike the, baseball team this softball team has

(01:24:16):
just moved forward and forward, and forward and they've really
given themselves a chance to make it, a special. Special
YEAR and I think, qualk said he feels like it's
a team that could make. A Run oklahoma city certainly
would like to see those girls get the opportunity, to
try no doubt. About That, all right we got to
get out. Here again thank you so much for being

(01:24:36):
a part of.

Speaker 6 (01:24:37):
The.

Speaker 2 (01:24:37):
Program again we will talk to you tomorrow at four
o'clock right Here On Fox sports radio. Fourteen hundred, until then, as,
always y'all take care now And. Coat tigers