Future in the Circle: Maddie Johnson Ready to Join Clemson’s Championship Culture
As the final out was recorded on Sunday afternoon at McWhorter Stadium, the crowd roared in celebration of No. 11 Clemson (47-12) advancing to its third NCAA Super Regional in four years. The 5-1 victory over Kentucky sealed an undefeated regional sweep that included wins over USC-Upstate and Northwestern. But amid the celebration, one Tiger took a moment to soak it all in -- second baseman Maddie Moore.
For Moore, a California native and cornerstone of the six-year program since its earliest days, Sunday’s game marked her final appearance at McWhorter. A two-time All-ACC first-teamer and member of Clemson’s 2022 and 2023 Super Regional squads, Moore finished the weekend hitting .364 with two RBIs — a fitting finale for a player who helped lay the foundation for the Tigers’ rapid ascension in collegiate softball.
She reflected on her Clemson journey that began at head coach John Rittman's camp years ago when the program was little more than a blueprint.
"I remember it being so hot and it was my first experience being in South Carolina,” Moore said of her early days attending camp. “It was a weird experience. But I loved it here, so it was not very hard to convince me to come.
“When I came here for my first camp, it [McWhorter] was not even built yet,” she continued. “It is kind of awesome to see everything. It is a full-circle moment for me. I am excited that I got to win regionals at McWhorter, which a lot of people can’t say."
Now, another Maddie — this one homegrown — is poised to join the program.
Madelyn 'Maddie' Johnson's Clemson dream didn’t require much convincing. Born and raised just a few hours southeast in Aynor, S.C., Johnson has been immersed in Tiger orange for as long as she can remember.
“My father was a big Clemson fan, so I’ve always pulled for the Tigers,” the Aynor High School senior told ClemsonSportsTalk. “I have been playing softball for ten years, and I was extremely excited to find out Clemson was getting a softball program. I have always wanted to go to Clemson, so softball is a bonus.”
That “bonus” became a full-blown passion as she attended Rittman’s camps eight times over four years.
“It quickly became my dream to play for them,” said the right-hand pitcher, who committed on Sept. 27, 2023, and signed on Nov. 13, 2024. “I also love how family-oriented the program is because my family is very important to me. I’m glad Clemson prioritizes it.”
Clemson’s postseason run has been powered by seniors Moore, Aby Vieira, Alex Brown, Brooke McCubbin, Reese Basinger, and rising stars like junior Jamison Brockenbrough, a trio of freshmen, Macey Cintron (ACC Freshman of the Year), Marian Collins (ACC All-Freshman Team), Taylor Pipkins (ACC Tournament MVP), and sophomore Kylee Johnson — no relation to Maddie — whose clutch two-run homer in the ACC Championship game sealed the Tigers' first tournament title.
Maddie Johnson watched that signature moment and felt right at home.
“It was definitely a nail-biter," she said of the 2-1 victory over ACC regular season champs Florida State. "But I had full confidence that we could pull it off."
Johnson, the 2024 Region 3A Player of the Year, boasts a fastball that touches 68 mph and a résumé that includes over 600 strikeouts. Last season, she racked up a 12-3 record with a 1.43 ERA and 148 Ks in 100 innings, holding opponents to a .237 average.
The Tigers will lose significant talent after this season. The pitching staff, in particular, will need reinforcements as McCubbin and Basinger depart, leaving two-way player Cintron and sophomore Olivia Duncan as the only returning pitchers with significant innings. But Rittman’s willingness to trust his young players could open the door for Johnson to contribute early.
But before that, Johnson is seeking to win a second state title in four years. On Monday night, she hit a walk-off grand slam against Oceanside Collegiate in the fifth inning, a 13-1 run-rule victory, to lead Aynor (26-2) into the Lower State finals against the Oceanside vs Hanahan High winner on Friday. A Blue Jackets' victory sends them to a fourth consecutive state title appearance.
Clemson will face No. 6 Texas (49-10) in the Austin Super Regional at Red and Charline McCombs Field in Austin, TX, starting Thursday. The matchup is a best-of-three format, with the winner moving on to the Women’s College World Series.
Regardless of the outcomes of each series, Johnson is thrilled to be a Tiger.
"I’m excited to get to play ball at such a high level," she said. "And I am excited to go into a program with a winning culture."
