CLEMSON — Janelle Breneman’s game plan of not allowing Valerie Cagle to beat her UNC Greensboro team was understandable, especially with the way Clemson has been hitting the softball as of late.

However, the Spartans’ head coach did not think her plan would backfire the way it did.

After Breneman intentionally walked Cagle in the first inning, Caroline Jacobsen made the No. 4 seed pay, as she blasted a three-run homer off the power pole in left centerfield. Jacobsen’s home run sparked a seven-run first inning, as the top seeded Tigers cruised to 17-2 victory in Game 1 of the Clemson Regional Friday at McWhorter Stadium.

“I am never surprised with what (opponents) do with Valerie,” Clemson head coach John Rittman said. “I have seen them walk her with the bases loaded. Their coach had a strategy and certainly it backfired because Caroline made them pay for it.

“It is just one of those things as coaches you try to do what is best for your team and Janelle was trying to do that in that situation.”

With one out in the bottom of the first inning, and McKenzie Clark standing on first base, Breneman instructed Maddie Spell to intentionally walk Cagle to get to Jacobsen. The right fielder quickly made Breneman regret her decision, as she launched her three-run home run to left center.

“With somebody like Valerie in front of you, it is kind of something you expect. It is not the first time it has happened this year,” Jacobsen said. “So, I was just ready for the opportunity to hit with runners on and make the most of it.”

Alia Logoleo went yard on the next at-bat for back-to-back jacks and then JoJo Hyatt doubled off the wall in right field to score another run. Reedy Davenport then ended the scoring fest with a two-run homer to left centerfield.

When the first inning was all said and done, Clemson plated seven runs on six hits, three home runs and one UNCG error.

“We have been kind of struggling offensively, so to come out in that first inning the way we did, that is exactly what we needed,” Davenport said. “In the postseason you have to get hot to win games, so I think that gives us a lot of confidence moving forward.”

Clemson (47-9) smacked four home runs in all and tallied 14 hits. Maddie Moore blasted a two-run shot in the third inning.

The Spartans (37-21) got on the scoreboard with a single run in the top of the second, but the Tigers added two runs in the bottom frame thanks to an Aby Vieira single through the right side to drive in Logoleo and Moore.

Vieira’s two-run hit gave the Tigers a 9-1 lead through two innings.

Jacobsen added a two-run double in the third inning and Moore later smacked her two-run homer for a 13-1 advantage.

The Tigers tacked on four runs in the fourth inning. The game was called due to the eight-run mercy rule in fifth inning.

Stat of the Game: Clemson had more hits (6) in the first inning Friday than it did in the previous two games combined against North Carolina (4) and Duke (0). The Tigers finished the afternoon with 14 hits

Player of the Game: Jacobsen went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in five runs, including her three-run home run in the bottom of the first.

Injury Update: Vieira, who was 1-for-3, returned to the lineup after missing the previous 13 games due to an injury.

Key Moment: After Breneman intentionally walked Cagle in the first inning, Caroline Jacobsen made the Spartans pay, as she blasted a three-run homer off the power pole in left centerfield. Jacobsen’s home run sparked a seven-run first inning for the Tigers.

Up Next: Clemson will play Auburn on Saturday. Game 3 of the Clemson Regional is set for a 1 p.m. start. Auburn, the No. 2 seed, defeated Cal State Fullerton in Game 2

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