Feb. 24, 2010

Final Stats

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Junior Andre Harris (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids C.C.) started the rally in the seventh inning with his first career home run, then he finished it with a two-RBI single, plating the sixth and seventh runs of the frame for the USC Upstate baseball team, lifting it to an 8-5 win over the defending CAA Champions, Georgia State, on a chilly, windy Wednesday night at Harley Park.

Down 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Harris led off with a solo shot to right field, starting the Spartans' rally. Senior Brian Dempsey (Montverde, Fla./East Ridge) struck out, but alertly ran to first after the ball was in the dirt and a dropped throw let him reach. A single by junior Joe Barnes (Lake Orion, Mich./Grand Rapids C.C.) moved Dempsey to second and a passed ball moved each runner up a base before sophomore Austin Liput (Oviedo, Fla./Trinity Prep) singled through the right side to make it 5-3. After freshman Brody Greer (Honea Path, S.C./Belton-Honea Path) drew a walk to load the bases, a fielder's choice made it a one-run game. Freshman Trey Richardson (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins) tied the game with a single down the left field line and sophomore Tyler Cook (Bloomington, Ill./University) drove a double to left on a 1-2 pitch to score the go-ahead run. After a groundout, Harris finished the rally with a single up the middle to give Upstate (3-2 overall) a three-run cushion.

From there, freshman Ryan Newell (Marietta, Ga./Marietta) (1-0) pitched tough to earn his first collegiate win. He struck out the side, giving up a single, in the eighth. In the ninth, he gave up two hits, but got a foulout and he tossed a curve to get the last batter swinging. He pitched three innings in relief, allowing five hits and one run. He struck out five and walked none.

The Panthers (0-5 overall) put a crooked number on the board first, scoring two runs on just a lone bunt single. Two errors helped the Panthers score the runs. Upstate cut into the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth, as Dempsey was hit with a pitch with one out. Barnes followed with a hit-and-run single through the right side and Greer followed with a single into left field to score Dempsey.

Georgia State got back to work in the sixth inning, scoring two runs on a hit and an error, as Chris Metcalf capped the rally with an RBI double to left field. Bradley Logan added a seventh-inning homer to left field to extend the lead to 5-1.

Barnes went 3-for-4 with a run to lead the Spartan offense, with Liput adding a 2-for-4 game with a run and two RBI. Harris also went 2-for-4 with a run and three RBI, including his homer.

Four Panthers finished with multiple hits as Mark Micowski went 2-for-5, Rob Lind went 2-for-4 with a run, Metcalf went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a double and Logan went 2-for-5 with two runs and a homer.

Jeremy Gazerro (0-1) took the loss in relief, allowing three hits and a walk. He struck out one. Charley Olson pitched well as the starter, tossing six innings and allowing just four hits and a run. He walked one and struck out five.

The Spartans will now get set for the Courtyard By Marriott Baseball Classic, playing their first game in the classic on Saturday when Dayton comes to Harley Park for a 4 p.m. game.