Spartanburg, S.C. – USC Upstate got a 2-run home run from freshman Kendall Settlemyre and turned in a workman-like performance in opening play in the Spartan Invitational with a 4-0 victory over Youngstown State Friday afternoon at Cyrill Stadium.

Upstate improved to 4-0 to open the season with the win. Hannah Alexander (Lexington, N.C.) tossed five strong innings, scattering four hits and striking out eight to earn the win and improve to 4-0 on the year. Freshman Cassie Clauser (Ladera Beach, Calif.) tossed the final two innings, allowing just one hit to finish things off.

"This was just a solid win and a good way to start the weekend," said Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins. "It wasn't anything real flashy, but we played solid and got key hits when we needed them. Hannah and Cassie pitched well. It was just a good game and a good effort."

In other action on the day, Howard claimed a 7-4 victory over George Mason in the opening game of the tournament. Youngstown State then took a 6-1 victory over UNC Wilmington. In the day's final game, Georgetown scored an 8-0 victory in six innings over UNC Wilmington.

After a scoreless first inning, Upstate got on the board in the second inning when Settlemyre (Hickory, N.C.) knocked a two-run home run to center to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead. It was her second home run of the season.

Upstate added a run in the third inning when Ericka Harris (Piedmont, S.C.) doubled and scored Lindsey Greeson (Stanley, N.C.) all the way from first. Upstate made it a 4-0 game with a run in the fifth when Greeson scored on Cheyenne Griffin's (Moore, S.C.) RBI-double.

Alexander and Clauser were simply solid. They combined for 10 strikeouts on the day, eight by Alexander who struck out two batters in each of the first four innings. Youngstown State's Hana Somogyi gave up four runs on six hits to take the loss and fall to 0-1. Youngstown is now 1-1 on the year.

Greeson led Upstate at the plate, finishing with two hits and two runs. Settlemyre topped the club with two RBIs.

The Spartan Invitational continues Saturday with five games on the schedule. Upstate will take on George Mason at 11:00 a.m. and UNC Wilmington at 3:00 p.m. In other action, George Mason will take on Georgetown at 9:00 a.m., Howard will face Georgetown at 1:00 p.m. and Howard will take on Youngstown State at 5:00 p.m.

Game 1 – Howard 7, George Mason 4 - Box Score
Game 2 – Youngstown State 6, UNC Wilmington 1 - Box Score
Game 3 – Upstate 4, Youngstown State 0 - Box Score
Game 4 – Georgetown 8, UNC Wilmington 0 - Box Score