Spartanburg, S.C. – Morgan Childers and Hannah Alexander each tossed one-hitters to lead Upstate to a sweep of the day's games as Upstate claimed wins over Oakland and Lafayette in the second day of the Campus Suites Spartan Classic Saturday at Cyrill Stadium.
Upstate improved to 15-0 on the season, its best start since the 2000 squad won its first 28 games. The Spartans will close out the Campus Suites Spartan Classic Sunday at noon against La Salle.
In other action, La Salle claimed a 5-0 victory over Lafayette and Howard took a 4-3 victory over Oakland.
Childers (Kings Mountain, N.C.) struck out nine and allowed just one hit in seven innings to earn the win in Upstate's 5-0 win over Oakland. She improved to 10-0 on the year. Alexander (Lexington, N.C.) took a no-hitter into the sixth innings, allowing her only hit with two outs in the sixth. She struck out nine to improve to 5-0 on the year.
"I thought we had really good structure today," said Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins. "We executed our signs well. I believe whether we win or lose, we have to have a good structure and execute like we did today. If we do that, we will play well. It was good to see us do that."
After two scoreless innings in the first game, Upstate took the lead with three runs in the third inning. Ericka Harris (Piedmont, S.C.) knocked a two-run double and Cheyanna Ohlrich (North Bend, Ore.) plated a run on a suicide squeeze bunt.
Upstate added to the lead with a run in each of the fifth and sixth innings. Katie Zauner (Canby, Ore.) doubled to drive in a run in the fifth and Katelyn Molkenthin (Valrico, Fla.) scored in a throwing error in the sixth as Upstate opened a 5-0 lead.
The lead was more than comfortable as Childers was in total control throughout the game. She only allowed one runner to reach second base in the entire game. Harris finished the game with two hits, two RBIs and a run, while Zauner and Janna Lewis (Huntersville, N.C.) also collected a pair of hits in the game.
Oakland starter Brittany Doyle went the distance to take the loss. She fell to 2-3 after allowing five runs on eight hits.
Just as Childers was dominant in game one, Alexander was in total control in game two. She didn't allow a base runner until giving up a walk in the fifth inning and took a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings. However, she gave up a two-out single to Gwen Turner in the sixth. She struck out nine to improve to 5-0 on the year.
Upstate jumped on top with two runs in the second inning on Ashley Butler's (Laurens, S.C.) two-run home run to right center. The Spartans made it a 5-0 game with three runs in the third. Erin Schattle (Goose Creek, S.C.) drew a bases loaded walk to start things off. Butler drove in a run when she reached on an error and Ohlrich scored on a passed ball.
Upstate made it a 6-0 lead when Kim Brasil (Mississauga, Ontario) scored on a fielding error by the leftfielder. The Spartans ended the game with four runs in the sixth. Butler drove in a run when she grounded out to second with the bases loaded. Haley Sheehan (Graniteville, S.C.) then ended things with a three-run home run to left for the 10-0 margin.
Sheehan has knocked two home runs in the tournament, hitting a grand slam on Friday and connecting on a three-run home run Saturday. Butler led the Spartans with two hits and four RBIs in the second game, while Harris and Zauner each collected two hits in the contest.
Campus Suites Spartan Classic
Friday, February 25
Game 1 – Oakland 4, La Salle 3
Game 2 – Upstate 2, Howard 0
Game 3 – Howard 9, La Salle 1
Game 4 – Oakland 7, Lafayette 3
Saturday, February 26
Game 5 – La Salle5, Lafayette 0
Game 6 – Upstate 5, Oakland 0
Game 7 – Upstate 10, Lafayette 0
Game 8 – Howard 4, Oakland 3
Sunday, February 27
Game 9 – Howard vs. Lafayette, 10:00 a.m.
Game 10 – La Salle at Upstate, 12:00 p.m.
