SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Spartans capped off a perfect 3-0 weekend in the USC Upstate/Wofford Invitational Sunday afternoon with a 10-5 win over Brown University at Cleveland S. Harley Baseball Park. A strong offensive performance combined with aggressive base running helped Upstate improve to 6-1 on the season.

Upstate collected nine hits on the day, and the Spartans have scored six runs or more in their last four games while outscoring their opponents 36-11 in that span. Devin Buckner and Ben Olson each had a multi-hit performance and combined for three RBIs in the game, and Jack Hennessy drove in three runs with a triple in the bottom of the third.

Sawyer Worrell got the start on the mound and had a pair of strikeouts in his three innings of work. Relief pitcher Kevin Davis entered the game in the top of the fourth with a runner on first, and threw four scoreless innings to get the win. He struck out six while giving up just one hit and allowing two walks.

"Pitching was more of a struggle for us today, but we did a lot offensively, and that's part of being a team," said head coach Mike McGuire. "It's not always going to be pretty on all three phases. We didn't defend as well today, but we did a lot offensively and took advantage of some free passes. Part of being a successful club is some days you have to pick the pitching up and some days you have to pick up the hitting, and we've been able to do that."

SCORING BREAKDOWN
B1: Jason Matthews sent the first pitch of his at bat to left center for a leadoff single, and later advanced to third on a bad pickoff attempt by Brown's catcher. Buckner then singled through the 5-6 hole to drive in Matthews and tie things up at one.

With two outs and Cameron MacIntosh holding a full count at the plate, Buckner was able to get a jump on the pitch and make it to third on MacIntosh's single to right field. MacIntosh then stole second and Mason Stewart drew a walk to load the bases before Olson dropped a shot in shallow center field to drive in Buckner and MacIntosh for a 3-1 lead.

B2: Hennessy scored the lone run in the bottom of the second as he walked, stole second, advanced to third on Matthews' flyout to center, and crossed the plate on a wild pitch to put the Spartans up 4-2.

B3: The Spartans lit up the right side in the bottom of the third, starting off with Julian Rip's single to right before he stole second and third to set Mason Stewart up for an RBI single to right. Olson then singled down the right field line to advance Stewart to third, and Jack Gallagher walked to load the bases and force a Brown pitching change. Hennessy then ripped a three-run triple down the right field line to give Upstate an 8-2 lead.

B5: Upstate picked up another run in the fifth as Stewart drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on a hit by pitch and another walk, and eventually crossed the plate on a passed ball.

B7: Olson drew another leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh before stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Jason Matthews then walked and got caught in a rundown between first and second, allowing Olson to score.

The Bears would get a pair of runs back in the top of the eighth, but Upstate held on for the 10-5 win.

UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans continue their season-opening homestand on Tuesday when cross-town rival Wofford College visits Harley Park for a 4:00 p.m. midweek matchup.

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