Home Runs Power Tigers to Opening Day Victory

Brockenbrough and Hicks homer in Tiger victory

Feb. 5, 2026 at 11:31pm

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The No. 13/12 Tigers opened their 2026 campaign with a 5-3 extra-innings victory against RV/NR Southeastern Louisiana that was powered by multi-run homers from senior Jamison Brockenbrough and sophomore Corri Hicks. Junior Sierra Maness started for the Tigers in the circle and notched six strikeouts in her first five innings of work. Graduate Abby Dunning threw 2.1 innings of relief with two strikeouts to earn the win. Maness returned in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out to get credited with the first save of the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The Tigers are looking to build on their success from last season and get off to a strong start in 2026. This opening day victory against a ranked opponent shows the team's offensive firepower and resilience, which will be important as they face a tough schedule ahead.

The details

Brockenbrough and Hicks led the offense with two RBIs following their respective homers, while sophomore Marian Collins gave Clemson the initial lead in extra innings with an RBI single. SLE broke open the scoreless game in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI single, but Brockenbrough's sixth career home run in the top of the seventh gave the Tigers their first lead of the night. SEL answered with a two-out RBI double to tie the game and force extras. In the top of the eighth, Collins drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single, and two batters later, Hicks sent a two-run shot out of right center to give Clemson a 5-2 edge.

  • The Tigers opened their 2026 campaign on February 6, 2026.
  • The game went into extra innings, with the final score coming in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The players

Jamison Brockenbrough

A senior on the Clemson Tigers softball team who hit a two-run home run to give the Tigers their first lead of the game.

Corri Hicks

A sophomore on the Clemson Tigers softball team who hit a two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to extend the Tigers' lead.

Sierra Maness

The junior starting pitcher for the Clemson Tigers who notched six strikeouts in her first five innings of work and returned in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn the save.

Abby Dunning

The graduate relief pitcher for the Clemson Tigers who threw 2.1 innings with two strikeouts to earn the win.

Marian Collins

A sophomore on the Clemson Tigers softball team who gave the Tigers the initial lead in extra innings with an RBI single.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Tigers continue action in Clearwater on Friday, Feb. 6 against No. 5/5 Oregon at 4 p.m. and versus No. 21/23 Liberty at 7 p.m. Both games are available to stream for free on the GameChanger app.

The takeaway

This opening day victory shows the Tigers' offensive firepower and resilience, which will be important as they face a tough schedule ahead. The team's strong start and ability to win close games against ranked opponents bodes well for their chances of building on last season's success.