Spartanburg, S.C. – Katie Zauner knocked a game-winning three-run homer to bring Upstate back from a 3-1 deficit as Upstate won the Upstate Classic at Cyrill Stadium with a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend. Sophomore catcher Ericka Harris was named the MVP after hitting .667 with five runs and three RBIs.
Upstate improved to 10-0 on the year and is off to its best start during the Division I era. The Spartans began the 2009 season with eight-straight wins before taking back-to-back losses at Ole Miss' tournament. It also marks the most wins to start the season since the 2007 squad won 12-straight en route to its fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Upstate found itself in the uncharacteristic position of having to come from behind midway through the game to take the win. Upstate opened the scoring in the second inning when Erica Kaufman (Goose Creek, S.C.) reached on a fielder's choice and Lindsay Kelly (Jacksonville, Fla.) scored from third. However, the Spartans fell behind in the next inning when Nina Ferguson singled to drive in a run and Carla Trimble knocked a two-run homer to give Hampton a 3-1 lead.
Upstate got a run back in the fourth when Lauren Quevedo (Wellington, Fla.) connected on a solo home run. The Spartans then scored five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to vault to the lead. Katelyn Molkenthin (Valrico, Fla.) got things started when she beat out an infield single. Harris (Piedmont, S.C.) followed by beating out an infield single as well to bring up Zauner (Canby, Ore.). Zauner took a pitch and deposited it over the wall in right center to give Upstate a 5-3 lead. The Spartans added to the lead in the sixth when Harris drove in a run and Kim Brasil (Mississauga, Ontario) scored from third on a throwing error by the catcher to take the lead to 7-3.
Upstate hurler Morgan Childers (Kings Mountain, N.C.) did not get the start in the game, but came on to pitch the final four innings to earn the win. She allowed just one hit and struck out eight to improve to 7-0 on the year. She relieved starter Hannah Alexander (Lexington, N.C.). Heather Ryder took the loss for Hampton, allowing seven runs on 11 hits. She fell to 3-2 on the season.
Harris led Upstate at the plate with three hits. Quevedo and Jenna Torbert (Denver, N.C.) both finished with two hits on the day and joined Harris on the all-tournament team. Childers and Janna Lewis (Huntersville, N.C.) also were Upstate players named all-tournament.
"It was nice to come back and get a win," said Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins. "We have some senior leaders that take it upon themselves to lead us through the tough times. Lauren and Katie hitting home runs were big for us offensively and Morgan coming in to shut the door on Hampton is just an indication that they want to win. It is easy to get up for games against the teams the caliber of South Carolina, but we have to learn to get up for every game. When we don't, we will find ourselves in a hole like we did today. We were able to bounce back and win, but we don't need to be in that position, and I hope we learned that lesson today."
2011 Upstate Classic All-Tournament Team
Upstate – Ericka Harris (MVP), Morgan Childers, Janna Lewis, Lauren Quevedo and Jenna Torbert
George Mason – Rachael Davies, Emily Lafferty and Katie Rynex
Hampton – Sharde' Estep and Nina Ferguson
