CLEMSON — After winning six of its eight ACC series this season, Clemson softball is headed to Durham, North Carolina, for the ACC Tournament as the No. 5 seed.

The Tigers (33-16, 15-9 ACC) tied for fourth in the ACC standings with Virginia (32-17, 15-9), but the Cavaliers won two of three against Clemson to own the tiebreaker. Clemson has reached the ACC Tournament championship in two of the past three seasons but failed to capture the title. It is also on track to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season but isn't projected to host a regional for the first time since 2021.

Clemson will have 11 days of rest before facing No. 4 seed Virginia (1:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network) in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on May 9.

Led by the reigning USA Softball player of the year, Valerie Cagle, here's why the Tigers can — and can't — win the ACC Tournament:

Can: Clemson softball's pitching is elite

Pitching wins championships, and Clemson's staff ranks among the best in the ACC. It has a 2.27 ERA, which ranks second in the conference behind Duke, and has allowed the fewest home runs (15) and walks (71) in the ACC.

Senior left-hander Millie Thompson leads the team with a 1.77 ERA and has recorded 71 strikeouts and eight walks in 83 innings. Senior right-hander Regan Spencer has appeared in the most games this year, posting a 2.00 ERA and allowing the lowest batting average against on the team (.229). Clemson's arms must continue to stifle batters during the postseason.

Can: Clemson has capable batters surrounding Valerie Cagle

With Cagle battling injuries throughout the season, the Tigers received important contributions from senior McKenzie Clark and junior Maddie Moore. In conference play, both contributed to the team ranking third in batting average (.321), on-base percentage (.402) and slugging percentage (.517).

Clark slashed .366/.469/.621 in 49 games, leading the team in batting average and recording a team-high nine home runs and 56 hits. Through 48 games, Moore slashed .362/.480/.638 — all career highs. In conference games, she batted .438, the best average through regular-season conference play in program history.

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Can't: Valerie Cagle has regressed from previous seasons

Clemson's star player has not been her dominant self after torching teams in seasons prior. After posting a 1.56 ERA and allowing a .182 batting average in 38 appearances last season, she has a 2.50 ERA, the highest of her career, and has given up a .230 average in 22 appearances.

Offensively, Cagle is slashing .364/.437/.620 and has struck out 24 times over 39 games. In contrast, she slashed .469/.565/.887 and struck out 22 times over 61 games last year.

Cagle has missed 10 games this year because of a concussion and illness but must find her footing to help Clemson in the tournament. In 10 career ACC Tournament games, she has struggled at the plate, batting 5-for-23, but has shined in the circle, posting a 1.67 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 18 walks over 41⅔ innings.

Can't: History isn't on Clemson's side

The Tigers have been on the doorstep of the ACC Tournament title since its inception in 2020 but haven't broken through. After the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, they were the No. 1 seed the following year and lost 1-0 to No. 3 seed Duke in the championship.

In 2022, Clemson was a No. 5 seed and upset No. 1 seed Virginia Tech but fell 8-6 to No. 3 seed Florida State. Last year, its tournament ended in the semifinals, losing 2-0 to No. 2 seed Duke as a three seed.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson softball: Why Tigers can, can't win first ACC Tournament