Box Score (PDF)

Spartanburg, S.C. – Upstate got a grand slam from Aly Schneider in the top of the first and a standout day all around from Dana Landers to take a 10-2 victory in five innings over Bryant Sunday in the tournament finale of the Spartan Invitational at Cyrill Stadium.

Upstate improved to 6-2 on the year with the win. The Spartans will travel to Furman Wednesday for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. Bryant fell to 3-1 with the loss.

Upstate jumped on top early in the game and Schneider delivered the big hit. Hayley Reinfeld started things off by reaching on an error. Cheyenne Griffin and Landers followed with singles to the shortstop, Griffin's in the 5-6 hole and Landers on a dipping liner shaded up the middle. Schneider then delivered her big hit, lifting a towering shot that hit the foul pole in right for a grand slam and a 4-0 Upstate lead.

Bryant didn't waste any time getting some of the runs back, getting within 4-2 on Taylor Burger's two-run homer in the top of the second. Only one of the runs were earned after Hayley Bottino reached on an error prior to Burger's homer.

Upstate looked to make more noise in the second inning. The Spartans put runners on second and third with one out. However, Bottino was able to induce two ground outs to third to end the inning and the threat to keep it a 4-2 Spartan advantage.

Landers gave Upstate a 5-2 lead with an RBI single in the third. It started another big inning for the Spartans as Upstate pushed three runs across for a 7-2 lead. Paris Prusak followed Landers' hit with an RBI single and the Spartans plated another run on a bad throw after Lindsey Greeson reached an infield single.

Landers came through again in the fourth inning, delivering a two-run double to right center to give Upstate a 9-2 lead. Upstate made it a 10-2 lead when Shellie Robinson reached on an error with the bases loaded, putting the Spartans in a position to end the game early.

Bryant would not go away, putting runners on first and second on a single and hit batter to start the top of the fifth. However, Upstate starter Lexi Shubert got a strike out and a force out to get two outs. She then got a tremendous diving play from Robinson to end the game as Robinson dove to catch a blooper in shallow center.

Shubert went the distance and improved to 4-1 on the year after allowing two runs on three hits and seven strikeouts. Landers led the way for Upstate at the plate. She finished with three hits, three RBIs and two runs and took home tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Schneider tallied a pair of hits and runs to go along with four RBIs.

Joining Landers on the all-tournament team from Upstate were Karla Beasley, Cheyenne Griffin, Shellie Robinson and Aly Schneider.

2015 Spartan Invitational
Friday, Feb. 20
Game 1 – Bryant 11, Maryland Eastern Shore 1

Saturday, Feb. 21
Game 2 – Bryant 19, Maryland Eastern Shore 6
Game 3 – Upstate 8, Maryland Eastern Shore 0
Game 4 – Bryant 3, Upstate 2

Sunday, Feb. 22
Game 5 – Upstate 10, Bryant 2