How former South Effingham star Alex Brown showed adaptability after transfer to Clemson

For Alex Brown, the setting may change — but the effort and talent of the former South Effingham softball star is a constant for a player who has shown she can adapt.

After two seasons at the University of North Carolina, Brown transferred to Clemson for her junior season in 2024 and she was an All-ACC second-team selection for the second consecutive year.

She came to Clemson and began the season with the Tigers at shortstop, where she had always played. But as the season went along, Brown moved to third base before crossing the diamond to play second base to close out the season.

Moving around and being put in an unfamiliar position might get into the head of some players, but Brown took the changes in stride and never wavered in her approach.

"Moving to third threw me for a loop at first because of all the bunts you have to field and that took some getting used to, but my coaches helped me with it," said Brown, who was also a standout in track and field and tennis, earning All-Greater Savannah Female Athlete of the Year honors in her senior year of 2021 at South Effingham. "Shortstop has always been my first love, but I'm open to playing where ever the team needs me. I'll do whatever it takes to help us win."

Clemson had a solid season as the Tigers finished fourth in the ACC standings with an overall record of 35-19, with a 15-9 mark in ACC play.

"It was super fun, we made the postseason and that was the first time I got to play in a Regional," said Brown, who is majoring in economics. "And I didn't take that for granted. I loved my first year at Clemson. It took some time to get to know my new teammates, but they are all super nice. My coaches were there for me, and helped me adjust. It was a great experience."

Batting from the leadoff spot, Brown posted a .328 batting average with five doubles, four triples, four home runs, 44 runs scored, 28 RBIs and an OPS of .850. She led the team with 61 hits and six sacrifice bunts in 54 games.

"I've always been a slap hitter until recently and I've been trying to develop my power game and mix that with my bunting and soft slaps," Brown said. "I've been free swinging a lot more to help the team."

Brown honed her game this summer as she played in the Florida Gulf Coast League.

"It was a lot of fun, we had games every day and I've been able to meet a lot of different girls who play in the SEC, the ACC and all over the country," said Brown, who is excited about her senior campaign with the Tigers.

"This fall is going to be great," she said. "We go to all the football games as a team and Death Valley is a wild place to watch a game. I'm set to graduate in May, and then I might try to get my masters and get a job as a graduate assistant (softball coach). I'm proud of what I've done so far in college, but there's always more to work to accomplish for me, and for our team."

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: How former South Effingham star Alex Brown showed adaptability after transfer to Clemson