Box Score (.pdf)

Clinton, S.C. – The Presbyterian College Blue Hose scored three unearned runs in the second inning to defeat USC Upstate 3-1 in a non-conference game at the PC Baseball Complex on Tuesday afternoon. 

Presbyterian College improves to 25-27 while Upstate drops to 20-29. 

James Fowlkes hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season with two outs in the first inning to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. 

Presbyterian scored three runs with two outs in the second inning to take the lead. After a leadoff walk to Jacob Midkiff and a flyout, Ryan Headrick reached on a fielder's choice while Midkiff advanced to second as a result of an Upstate error. Matt Tinny reached on a walk to load the bases. Tyler Weyenberg scored on a bases-loaded walk, followed by a Cletis Avery two-run single that scored Headrick and Tinny before a flyout ended the inning. 

Hunter Gilbert led off the third inning with a single and advanced to third following a Devon Ortiz bunt single and a PC error. The Blue Hose got out of the inning unscathed thanks to a pair of strikeouts and a foulout. Gilbert got a two-out rally started in the seventh with a single and advanced to third on an Ortiz base hit before a flyout ended the inning. 

A Blue Hose error followed by a Fowlkes bases hit started the eighth inning. After a strikeout, Charlie Carpenter singled to right field to load the bases before a double play ended the Spartan threat. Colton Chapman and Headrick reached on back-to-back singles with one out in the PC eighth. Cody Brittain threw out pinch runner Guy Casaceli at the plate for the second out of the inning before a groundout ended the frame. 

Jordan Ford led off the ninth inning with a single before advancing to third on consecutive groundouts before a popout ended the game.

Gilbert had a career-high three hits as he finished 3-for-4 with three singles. Fowlkes finished 2-for-4 with a single, stolen base, home run, run scored and RBI. Ortiz went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. The Spartans held a 10-8 advantage in hits as each team left nine runners on base. 

Headrick went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI. Avery went 1-for-3 with a single and two RBI.

Jack McLaughlin (1-3) earned the win, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts in five innings. Hayden Deal picked up his sixth save as he allowed one hit in a scoreless inning. Colton Chupp (2-1) took the loss, allowing three runs (none earned) on two hits with three walks and a strikeout in 2.0 innings. 

Upstate returns to Harley Park for the final A-Sun series of the season against Jacksonville on Thursday at 6 p.m. 

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