CLEMSON, S.C. – Villanova softball went the distance on Friday afternoon at McWhorter Stadium, falling 1-0 to Clemson in VU's first extra-inning affair of 2025 to kick off a four-game stay at the Clemson Classic.
Lexi Kobryn shoved in the circle once again for Villanova (5-5), tossing her third straight seven-inning shutout before receiving the loss in extras on an unearned run. The first-year struck out one in a complete game effort, facing 30 batters with 20 in-play outs on the afternoon.
Despite the lack of runs, the Wildcats were frequently on base as they started out the game on six straight innings with a runner aboard, the first five including one in scoring position.
Maddie Burrows reached base each time at the plate in her first start of the season, walking twice and singling once. Maranda Runco and Brooklyn Ostrowski got the team's only two other hits, both getting aboard twice on a single and a base on balls.
The Wildcats got a pair of runners aboard in the opening frame thanks to back-to-back walks, but couldn't advance anyone beyond second base. Kobryn caught a break right away as a leadoff single was called back due to a batter stepping out of the box, then worked out of a two-out double for a scoreless first.
It was another pair of bases on balls in the ensuing frame for a two-out runner in scoring position, though a strikeout ended the chance for VU to be the first on the board.
Runco laced a single off the pitcher and Ostrowski sent one up the middle in the third. Burrows singled to begin the fourth and moved up to second on VU's second sacrifice bunt of the season and game, but it stayed even at 0-0.
The Tigers' lineup created the most dangerous situation of the afternoon to that point with a pair of leadoff singles putting two aboard in the fifth. But Kobryn didn't panic, inducing outs from each of Clemson's top three power hitters to remain scoreless.
Burrows reached on a walk in the sixth but couldn't score, then a 1-2-3 seventh for the Villanova lineup put the onus on Kobryn to extend the contest. The freshman delivered, stranding a one-out single and getting a two-out flyout to give the fans some free softball.
International rules were applied, so a runner was placed on second to begin each team's extra-inning hacks. The Wildcats put three balls in play and got their runner to third, but could not break the tie. Clemson made VU pay immediately, using a leadoff single to walk it off in the eighth and escape with a 1-0 victory.
UP NEXT: The 'Cats will take on a pair of opponents in neutral site competitions tomorrow, facing Elon at 10 a.m. before squaring off with Marshall shortly after.
