Box Score (PDF)
Tuscaloosa, Ala. – USC Upstate scored four runs in the first two innings and turned in a workmanlike performance in taking a 9-0 victory over Fairfield in the first elimination game of the Tuscaloosa Regional Saturday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium.
With the win, Upstate improved to 44-9 on the year and advanced to the second elimination game of the regional to face 20th-ranked Washington later Saturday. Fairfield fell to 25-24 on the year with the loss and was eliminated from its first-ever NCAA Division I Regional appearance. Upstate dropped a 4-1 decision to Washington in the regional opener Friday.
Upstate starter Lexi Shubert was solid in the circle for Upstate and improved to 34-6 on the year with the win. She tied Upstate's single-season school record with 34 wins and shares the record with a fellow North Carolina prep standout and all-time great Morgan Childers (2008-11). She allowed just three hits and struck out five Stags along the way.
After Shubert tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, the Spartan offense produced in the bottom of the frame. Hayley Reinfeld walked to start the inning, Aly Schneider was hit by a pitch and Shellie Robinson singled to load the bases.
Karla Beasley, who was the offensive star of the A-Sun Tournament, poked a single to right to score Reinfeld and give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Griffin followed with a sacrifice fly and Kendall Settlemyre belted a double down the line in right to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead. The play was history-making as well as Robinson crossed the plate for the 217th time in her career, breaking the A-Sun's all-time career record of 216 held by UCF's Stephanie Best.
After another 1-2-3 inning on defense, Upstate added to its advantage in the second inning. After Lindsey Greeson led off the inning with a double, Schneider roped a one-out double down the line in left to plate Greeson and give the Spartans a 4-0 lead.
Fairfield looked to make some noise in the sixth inning. Lauren Filicia singled up the middle and Sammy Ruffolo followed with an infield single to put runners on first and second with no outs. However, Shubert stiffened and got a fly out, fielder's choice force out at third and a strikeout to get out of the jam and keep the Spartan in front, 4-0.
Upstate ended the game in the bottom of the sixth. After putting the first two runners on base, Reinfeld laid down a sacrifice bunt. However, she reached on a throwing error as Lindsey Greeson scampered home. Schneider followed with a two-run triple to give the Spartans a 7-0 lead. Robinson ended the game with a two-run home run to center for a 9-0 final score. It was the 70th homer of her career, one shy of the A-Sun career record of 71 held by UCF's Best.
Shubert was in command throughout her start. She did not allow a hit until the fourth inning following a walk in the third. But, Fairfield could not do anything with either base runner. She pitched out of the jam in the sixth and finished the game with a three-hitter.
Schneider led the Spartans at the plate with two hits and three RBIs. Robinson, Beasley, Settlemyre and Greeson also joined Schneider with two hits in the game.
