Welcome to Up The Coast, your go-to podcast for everything ACC softball, hosted by Alex & Britt! In this action-packed episode, the duo takes you through the highlights of the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, sharing insights on key matchups and results from across both the ACC and SEC. They’ll dive into the top performances of the weekend, the challenges some teams are facing, and the exciting developments as the season continues to unfold.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• Clemson's "Reset Year": Alex & Britt break down Clemson's tough weekend at Clearwater, where they went 1-4. With losses to Missouri, Kentucky, Auburn, and UCF, the team faces growing pains as they rebuild after the departure of key leadership. The conversation focuses on the promising talents of players like Maci Cintron, Alex Brown, and Madi Moore, and how Coach Rittman’s team is looking to reestablish its identity.
• Florida State's Dominance: At 8-1 overall, FSU is proving why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. With impressive offensive stats led by Kennedy Harp (.704, 4 HRs) and a stellar pitching staff featuring Annabelle Wee-dra and Jazzy Fransik, Alex & Britt discuss how Lonni Alameda’s squad is clicking on all cylinders and looking primed for another deep postseason run.
• Virginia’s Close Calls: The Hoos are 5-5 but could easily be 7-3 after a weekend full of dramatic, close games. The hosts break down Virginia’s key wins, including a walk-off victory over UCLA, and highlight the leadership of Macee Eaton, who leads the team in RBIs despite a .156 average. They also discuss the pitching depth that could be Virginia’s secret weapon as the season progresses.
• Duke's Statement Win Over Florida: After a tough loss to Florida, Duke bounced back with a statement 8-1 victory, with Cass Curd shining in the circle. Alex & Britt reflect on the resilience of this Blue Devils team and discuss how key contributors like Jada Baker and Tessa Malau’ulu are driving the offense from the bottom of the lineup.
• Virginia Tech’s Perfect Week: Virginia Tech is making waves with back-to-back perfect games from ace Emma Lemly, who continues to dominate in the circle. The duo dives into VT’s stellar start and their early challenges in Baton Rouge, emphasizing how this team is growing stronger with each game and ready for the ACC battle ahead.
• Other Teams on the Rise: Alex & Britt also give shout-outs to teams like Stanford (undefeated at 9-0) with a powerhouse offense and Syracuse (9-0) leading the nation in ERA. They also discuss Louisville’s solid start and a big win over #25 FAU.

Plus, we’ll look ahead at exciting upcoming matchups, including:

• Stanford vs. Arizona and Texas in Tucson
• Duke in the Mary Nutter Classic, taking on Nebraska and UCLA
• UNC facing South Carolina
• Syracuse’s trip to Athens vs. Georgia
• FSU hosting Texas A&M