Box Score Game Box (PDF)
Spartanburg, S.C. – Cheyenne Griffin had three hits with two RBIs to lead the USC Upstate softball team to a 6-0 victory and a series sweep of Jacksonville to open A-Sun play, and also helped deliver career win No. 700 for Spartan head coach Chris Hawkins Sunday afternoon at Cyrill Stadium.
Hawkins, in his 20th season as head coach at Upstate and overall, is the winningest coach in Upstate softball history. He notched career win No. 600 against Kennesaw State on May 12, 2011. It took him a less than three seasons to pick up 100 more wins and reach 700 Sunday.
Upstate improved to 19-0 on the season and is one of just four undefeated teams left in the country among teams who have already begun their season. The Spartans also improved to 3-0 in the A-Sun and will hit the road next week for a mid-week doubleheader at defending ACC Tournament champion N.C. State on Wednesday and a single game at North Carolina Thursday.
"It started at Berry Field and now playing here at Cyrill Stadium, it has been a drastic change in environment," said Hawkins reflecting on reaching the milestone win. "Building a program has been enjoyable, and it makes it even more special when you get to coach this group of players we have this year. My assistant coaches who have helped me along the way and the players who I have been fortunate enough to coach through the years are most of the reason why we win."
Looking for the sweep, Upstate jumped on top of Jacksonville (8-8, 0-3) early with a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Griffin. The junior first baseman came through her next time up as well.
Upstate put runners on first and second following a leadoff double from Ryan Rector and an intentional walk to Shellie Robinson in the third inning. After Jacksonville starter Victoria Brown got a strikeout and a force out at third on a fielder's choice, Griffin came through again. She hit a high chopper that tipped off the glove of the lunging Dolphin third baseman and to the fence in left for an RBI double to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
Upstate again put runners on first and second in the fourth inning, this time with one out. Rector came through with her second hit of the game, sending a grounder up the middle to score pinch runner Lindsey Greeson from second and give the Spartans a 3-0 lead.
With Upstate in command owning a 3-0 lead, Jacksonville attempted to get back into the game in the sixth inning. The Dolphins put runners on first and second with no outs against Spartan reliever Anna Miller. Miller entered the game with one out in the fifth inning, replacing starter Lexi Shubert. Facing the five, six and seven hitters in the lineup, Miller stiffened and struck out all three to end the threat and keep the Spartans ahead, 3-0.
Upstate loaded the bases with one out in sixth and Robinson cranked a two-run single up the middle to give the Spartans a 5-0 lead. Upstate again loaded the bases, still with just one out. Meredith Barnes drew a walk to make it a 6-0 lead.
Shubert went 4 1/3 innings, allowing just three hits with two strikeouts to earn the win and improve to 9-0 on the year. Miller tossed 2 2/3 innings of relief to pick up her first save of the season. Brown (4-4) took the loss for Jacksonville, allowing six runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts.
Rector equaled Griffin with three hits on the day to help lead Upstate at the plate. Robinson finished with a pair of RBIs.
"Jacksonville is a good team and for us to open the A-Sun season with a sweep is great," said Hawkins. "We have a target on our back and to get a sweep to start things off is really great."
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