Box Score (PDF)

Spartanburg, S.C. – Lucas Clarke allowed just one run and struck out three in 5.2 innings and UNC Asheville held on for a 2-1 victory over USC Upstate Tuesday evening in non-conference action from Harley Park.

Clarke picked up his first win of the season after scattering four hits and only allowing one Upstate runner to reach third base. Brian Connolly pitched the final 3.1 innings and earned his first save of the season.

Spartan starter Zach Mitchell was strong in his three innings of work, giving up just one run on three hits in three innings on the hill. Freshmen Richie Lacell, Jordan Miller and Zach Krider combined to pitch five scoreless innings in relief.

UNC Asheville (8-15) pushed across a run in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly from first baseman Hunter Bryant. Leadoff hitter Kyle Towles singled to right with one out and later stole second to move into scoring position. Robert McIntosh singled on the infield to put runners on the corners before Phillip Treadway drew a walk to load the bases. Bryant followed with a line drive to right to plate Towles and pick up his 10th RBI of the season.

The Bulldogs tacked on another run in the sixth inning on an RBI single from McIntosh. Center fielder Tanner Bush reached on a single to left field before stealing second base to set up the scoring opportunity for UNC Asheville.

USC Upstate (9-17) cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the sixth inning with Erik Samples laced a double down the left field line to score Stephen Dowling from first. Dowling reached in the previous at bat with a single through the left side and raced around the bases on Samples' team-leading 10th double of the season.

Upstate returns to the diamond Friday night at 6 p.m. when the Spartans welcome Lipscomb to Harley Park to begin a three-game series.

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