Spartans fall in Series Finale to UNC Asheville

Sunday, March 17

Asheville, NC

1 pm

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

9-11, 0

UNC Asheville

7-12, 0

USC Upstate

UNC Asheville

3/17/2019 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – On a beautiful and sunny day at Greenwood field the USC Upstate baseball team dropped a 9-5 decision in the series finale to UNC Asheville on Sunday afternoon.

The loss gives the Spartans a 9-11 record overall on the season and a 1-2 record in Big South Conference competition. Meanwhile UNC Asheville improves to 7-12 overall and 2-1 in Big South play during the 2019 campaign.

SCORING BREAKDOWN

Bottom 1^st: The Spartans got off to a rough start on Sunday afternoon, giving up 6 runs off 4 hits in the opening frame. Starting pitcher Jacob Thiessen was pulled after throwing just 17 pitches on the afternoon. The Spartans centerfielder also miss played a ball and allowed a pair of runs to score in the opening stanza.

Top 2^nd: Trailing 6-0 the USC Upstate offense responded as best they could. Stone Stephenson began the inning with a full count walk and advanced all the way to third on a one out single to left center by Garett Wallace. Jason Matthews then walked to load up the bases for USC Upstate. Jeff Taylor then stepped to the plate and ripped a three-run triple into left field. Taylor came around to score on an error by the third baseman.

Bottom 3^rd: The Bulldogs added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning. Dominic Freeberger had an RBI single to right field giving UNC Asheville a 7-4 lead. Carmine Pagano then came around to score on a wild pitch to conclude the scoring in the inning.

Bottom 6^th: Brandon Lankford homered down the right field line to begin the sixth inning of action. The Bulldogs did not score again the rest of the game.

Top 9^th: Wallace leadoff the top of the ninth with a homerun to left center field. Unfortunately, the homer did not spark a Spartans rally as they fell 9-5.

NOTABLES

Jeff Taylor led the offense with a 4-for-5 day at the plate with a trio of RBI's and a run scored.
Garett Wallace was the only other Spartans to collect a pair of hits in the contest, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of runs scored and an RBI knocked in.

NEXT UP

USC Upstate returns to the friendly confines of Harley Park on Tuesday evening, with a 6:00 p.m. first pitch against Lafayette.

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