Box Score (PDF)

Spartanburg, S.C. – Blake Whitney held Stetson to one run over six innings to lead USC Upstate to an 8-1 victory and even the series Saturday afternoon from Harley Park.

Whitney (3-1) gave up a leadoff home run to Cory Reid on the second pitch of the game, but surrendered just three more hits, which included a stretch of 10 straight batters retired, en route to his third win of the season.

Reliever Richie Lacell pitched the final three innings, scattering three hits and striking out two to pick up his third save of the season.

Brooks Wilson (7-3), who entered the day tied for the most wins in the nation, lasted just 2.1 innings and allowed six runs on eight hits and took the loss.

Daniel Fickas finished with three hits and two runs scored and Erik Samples tied a career-high with four RBIs. Jake Beaver and J.J. Shimko registered two hits apiece to help Upstate outhit Stetson 13-7.

Upstate answered Stetson's run in the top of the first by tying the game in the bottom half when Stephen Dowling doubled down the left field line to score Fickas from second.

The Spartans added three more runs in the second inning on an RBI single from Samples and a two-run single by Beaver. Upstate used consecutive one-out singles by Cody Brittain and Shimko in the third inning to chase Wilson, and an RBI single from Fickas and a sacrifice fly by Samples later in the inning gave the Spartans a 6-1 lead.

Upstate scored its final two runs of the game when Samples blasted a two-run home run to left in the sixth inning to bring his season RBI total to 22.

USC Upstate and Stetson will play the rubber game of the series Sunday at 1 p.m. with Zac Manuppelli matching up against Walker Sheller.

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