Clemson softball lands commitment from Eagleville pitcher Addisyn Linton over Lady Vols, others
Eagleville junior softball star Addisyn Linton chose Clemson over some other Power Five heavyweights, committing to the Tigers on Wednesday.
And it didn't take the all-state pitcher long to decide, with college coaches only able to begin contact with recruits on Sept. 1 of their junior year.
"As a softball player you can’t help but love that and become a fan and dream to be part of something so special," Linton said of the Clemson choice. "I was asked to come on a official visit and I knew than while spending a few days I got to spend with he coaches and players and the facilities that how incredible it would be to be Clemson softball. The players and coaches are tight. They talked about being family and by the end of the day you I felt like family and that’s so important to me."
Her top five included the Tigers, Tennessee, Florida State, Texas A&M and South Carolina.
"It was tough to call the other schools to inform them," she said. "That was very hard. But it wasn’t Clemson, and that what I kept telling myself to make it a little easier."
All five of those teams enjoyed big success last season. Clemson went 49-12 last season (18-6 in the ACC) and reached the Super Regional.
"I jumped on the Clemson bandwagon two years ago after watching how fast the program built themselves as one of the top programs in the country in just a three-year new program," Linton said. "Also, watching the player of the year Valerie Cagle have the success she’s had with that coaching staff on both sides of the ball, it's amazing."
Linton is the two-time defending player of the year on the DNJ all-area team. She led her team to a Class A state runner-up as an eighth grader, helped the Lady Eagles capture the state title as a freshman and led them to the runner-up trophy again last season.
In 2023 she hit .543 with 12 doubles, three triples, 18 homers, 59 RBIs, 40 runs and 11 stolen bases. On the mound she went 12-3 with a 2.49 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 104 innings. She did all of that despite missing some time and playing with a broken hand.
She said the idea of being able to step in and contribute quickly was a factor in her decision.
"After this year, the program will change with new faces, and I love thinking about the challenge of filling those shoes who’s carried the program in such a highly respectful, gracious way on the biggest stage, competing against the best in the country," Linton said.
"I have a opportunity to be share the field with amazing teammates at Clemson and the country talking about Clemson softball for years to come. That makes me so excited."
Tennessee (51-10) and Florida State (58-10) reached the Women's College World Series last season. Texas A&M went 35-21 and South Carolina reached the NCAA Regionals with a 40-22 record.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Clemson softball lands Addisyn Linton over Tennessee Lady Vols, others
