Series MatchUP
Game 1: Friday, February 19 | 3:00 p.m. EST
Game 2: Saturday, February 20 | 2:00 p.m. EST
Game 3: Sunday, February 21 | 1:00 p.m. EST
USC Upstate (0-0, 0-0 BSC) vs Toledo (0-0, 0-0 MAC)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.
TV: ESPN+ (Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App)
PxP: Lenny Mathis
Color: Scott Netkovick
Projected Starting Pitchers
Game 1: RHP Jordan Marks vs. LHP Wyatt Jefferson
Game 2: RHP Alex Garbrick vs. RHP Chris Meyers
Game 3: RHP Ben Ferrer vs. RHP Jordan Power
Series History
This will be the first-ever meeting between USC Upstate and the University of Toledo.
Ones to Watch
Upstate – Jordan Marks returns as the Friday night starter after throwing 25.2 total innings and striking out a team-high 29 batters last season, both ranking second in the conference. He posted a league third-best ERA of 1.75 and allowed just three walks on the year, the least amount of any Big South pitcher. Marks appeared on D1 Baseball's list of top junior pitchers, top 100 pitchers, and top prospects, and was the runner-up for Big South Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Devin Buckner will once again see time behind the plate, at first base, and in the DH slot this season. He started all 18 games for Upstate last year and led the Spartan bats with 23 hits, ranking third in the conference. Buckner batted .333 with a .449 slugging percentage and led the team with 16 RBI and five doubles.
Julian Rip led the Spartans at the plate in the abbreviated 2020 season, batting .368 which also ranked fifth in the Big South. He recorded seven extra-base hits that included four doubles, two triples, and a homerun, and led the team with 32 total bases. His 21 hits were fifth-most in the Big South, and he also led the conference with 24 runs scored. Rip led the Spartans with a .561 slugging percentage and appeared on D1 Baseball's list of top senior hitters and overall top 100 hitters.
Alex Garbrick, a transfer from Morehead State, is expected to make his Upstate debut on Saturday. The RHP started four games for the Eagles last season and struck out a team-best 27 batters in 22.0 innings pitched. He held opponents to a .261 batting average and recorded nine strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched against Michigan State.
Toledo – Darryn Davis was named one of the Top 30 second basemen in the country by D1Baseball after he hit .400 while slugging .550 and reaching base at a .532 clip last season. He led the Rockets in all three of those categories as well as RBI (17), hits (24), and runs scored (14). Chris Meyers had a team-high four home runs in 16 games last year while slugging .516 and pitching out of the bullpen. Friday's starter Wyatt Jefferson posted a team-best 2.77 ERA in three starts and held opponents to a .186 batting average last season.
UP Next for the Spartans
Upstate heads out on the road next weekend for a three-game series at College of Charleston. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, followed by a 2 p.m. start on Saturday and 1 p.m. start on Sunday.
Home Game Attendance Information
Due to social distancing protocols for all outdoor venues at USC Upstate, attendance in the grandstands will be limited this spring. Fans are required to wear face coverings, and tailgate chairs are encouraged for fans to utilize the grass berms at Harley Baseball Park, Cyrill Softball Stadium and County-University Soccer Stadium. Spectators will be asked not to congregate in groups of six or more and maintain at least six feet from others on the grass areas. Admission for these events is complimentary thanks to our on-going partnership with Ingles Markets. For more information, click here.
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