Midweek MatchUP
Wednesday, March 17 | 12:00 p.m. EST
*Postponed from Tuesday, March 16 due to weather.
USC Upstate (11-2, 4-2 BSC) vs UNC Asheville (2-9, 1-5 BSC)
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
RHP Trey Miller [0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1SV, 5K] vs. RHP Kole Harris [0-0, 3.52 ERA, 9K]
Series History
Wednesday will be the 18th meeting between the Spartans and Bulldogs in Upstate's DI era, dating back to 2008. The Spartans hold an 11-6 advantage in that span and a 19-10 advantage overall in the all-time series. The Spartans have only dropped one game ever to the Bulldogs at home, a 2-1 deficit on March 25, 2014. Most recently, the Bulldogs took the season series between the two clubs 2-1 in Upstate's first season as a Big South member back in 2019. The Spartans took the opener in that series 10-2 before dropping the last two games 7-6 and 9-5.
Last Time Out
The Spartans are coming off their first two losses of the year as they dropped both games of a Saturday doubleheader at Campbell to lose the series. Upstate took the series opener 6-1 on Friday night before falling in game two 4-3 in walk off fashion and dropping the series finale 4-2 on Saturday.
The Bulldogs played a three-game series at Charleston Southern last weekend. Asheville won the first game, 15-3, but the Buccaneers took the next two by scores of 15-5 and 9-1.
Ones to Watch
Upstate:
- Freshman right-hander Trey Miller has earned the start on the mound after giving Upstate four solid relief appearances on the year. He's tossed 6.0 innings on the year with just one walk and five strikeouts with a 4.50 ERA. He picked up his first career save this past Friday in the series opener against Campbell.
- Jason Matthews leads the Spartans at the plate this season with a batting average of .400, which ranks second in the Big South. He leads the league with 24 hits and ranks second with seven doubles. Matthews also ranks in the top-10 of the league with 12 RBI and has scored a league third-best 14 runs. The starting shortstop is also a core defender for the Spartans.
- Jack Gallagher is batting .352 for Upstate and boasts a perfect fielding percentage while starting every game at first base so far this season. He ranks third in the league with 19 hits, including two doubles and a home run. He has a league second-best 18 RBI after a seven-RBI night at Clemson this past week that included a bases-clearing double and a grand slam.
UNCA:
- During the 15-3 win on Friday, senior Brandon Lankford connected on a grand slam to blow the game open. It was Lankford's third home run of the season, which ranks third among Big South sluggers.
- Cam Johnson started all three games at first base in the CSU series and finished the three-game set hitting .500 in eight at-bats with five runs scored and one RBI. He also posted a .636 on-base percentage in the series.
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans continue a five-game home stand this weekend when they host High Point for a three-game Big South series. Game one is set for 4 p.m. on Friday, March 19 with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
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. 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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