Game Box (Upstate-Youngstown St.) | Game Box (Upstate-Virginia)
Spartanburg, S.C. – Shellie Robinson and Meredith Barnes connected on back-to-back home runs in the first and fifth innings to lift the USC Upstate softball team to a 12-4 victory over Youngstown State and Lexi Shubert earned her first collegiate win in a complete game effort against Virginia, 6-0, in the Upstate Classic at Cyrill Stadium.
Robinson and Barnes were stout in both games of the day. Robinson finished the day 6-for-6 with seven RBIs and four runs, knocking three home runs. Barnes was 4-for-8 with five RBIs and four runs. She connected on two homers.
"We continued to hit the ball well today," said Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins. "It makes the whole game easier when you score runs. Lexi did really well in her first college start and I am so happy to have three quality pitchers. I am so proud of how our players play hurt and do so at a high level. I am looking forward to playing that same level tomorrow."
For the second straight game, Upstate belted a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. Dana Landers came through Saturday, sending a lined shot over the wall in left for a 1-0 lead.
After a scoreless second, Upstate added three runs to its lead to open a 4-0 advantage. Landers drove in her second run of the game on a sacrifice fly. Barnes and Robinson followed with back-to-back homers to give the Spartans a four-run lead.
Youngstown State tied the game with four runs in the top of the fourth. The Penguins loaded the bases with no outs. After Upstate starter Anna Miller, who had been strong with five strikeouts through the first three innings, struck out a Penguin for the first out, Haley Knight hit a two-run double to left center to get Youngstown State within 4-2.
Hannah Alexander entered the game in relief of Miller with runners on second and third and one out in the fourth. Jordan Macey followed with a two-run double to tie the game at 4-4. Alexander then got out of the inning without any further damage.
Upstate responded in the bottom of the fourth, plating five runs to open a 9-4 lead. The Spartans loaded the bases with no outs and Landers drew a bases loaded walk for the first run. Robinson followed with a bases loaded walk and Maddison Kieffer slapped an RBI single. Kaitlyn Jaeger ended the scoring with a two-run single.
Alexander held Youngstown State scoreless in the top of the fifth and Upstate ended the game by way of the home run in the bottom of the frame, taking the game by a 12-4 score. Barnes connected on her second home run of the day, a two-run shot, and Robinson followed with a solo home run to give the Spartans the win.
Barnes, Landers and Robinson each accounted for three RBIs each to lead Upstate at the plate. Robinson finished the game 3-for-3, while Barnes and Jaeger each had a pair of hits. Alexander (2-0) tossed 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out two to improve to 2-0 on the year.
In the second game of the day for Upstate, Shubert recorded her first career shutout and Robinson and Barnes continued their strong hitting.
Robinson continued her torrid start to the season in her first at bat against the Cavaliers. She connected on a two-run homer, her third in the two games of the day, to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
The Barnes-Robinson combination continued in the second inning for Upstate. Barnes knocked a two-run double to right and Robinson followed with a double of her own to drive in Barnes as the Spartans opened a 5-0 lead. Robinson struck again in the sixth, driving in a run on a sacrifice fly to give Upstate a 6-0 advantage.
Shubert went the distance in her first collegiate start. She allowed just one unearned run, finishing the game with 10 strikeouts and allowing just five hits to earn the win.
Robinson led the Spartans at the plate, finishing with three hits with four RBIs and a run. Barnes finished with two hits, two RBIs and two runs.
Upstate Classic Results & Schedule
Friday, February 7
Game 1 – Towson 7, Youngstown State 3
Game 2 – Eastern Michigan 3, Virginia 1
Game 3 – Upstate 8, Eastern Michigan 0 (5 inn.)
Game 4 – Virginia 8, N.C. Central 1
Saturday, February 8
Game 5 – Towson 8, Eastern Michigan 7 (9 inn.)
Game 6 – Upstate 12, Youngstown State 4 (5 inn.)
Game 7 – Upstate 6, Virginia 0
Game 8 – Eastern Michigan 2, N.C. Central 1 (8 inn.)
Game 9 – Youngstown State 6, N.C. Central 5
Sunday, February 9
Game 10 – Towson vs. N.C. Central, 10:30 am
Game 11 – Towson at Upstate, 12:30 pm
Game 12 – Virginia vs. Youngstown State, 2:30 pm
Game 13 – Virginia at Upstate, 4:30 pm
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