SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A solid day on the mound paired with a two-RBI double from Chase Matheny helped USC Upstate baseball get back in the win column Wednesday afternoon after defeating UNC Asheville 4-1 at Harley Park. The Spartans improved to 12-2 (5-2 BSC) on the year and 7-0 at home.
"We had a great pitching performance today. I thought Trey Miller gave us a good start, Austin Morgan was pretty good there in the middle, and Kevin Davis was pretty lights out to finish the ballgame. We were kind of lackluster offensively, but when you pitch and play defense like we did, you're always going to be in the ballgame. It was good to see Chase Matheny come through with a big hit in a big spot for us to put us out in front," said head coach Mike McGuire.
Freshman Trey Miller made his first career start on the mound and threw 5.0 scoreless innings with a strikeout while giving up just two hits and one walk. He retired the side in order in his last two innings of work.
Austin Morgan entered in the sixth and struck out two batters in his 2.1 innings pitched. He gave up the lone UNCA run of the game, but was credited with the win to improve to 2-0 on the year. Kevin Davis took over in the eighth with one out and struck out both batters faced to get out of the inning. He closed out the game to pick up his third save of the year.
Cameron MacIntosh and Jack Hennessy each had a pair of hits on the day, and Jason Matthews and Julian Rip both drove in a run in addition to Matheny's two RBI in the game.
Matthews led off the bottom of the first with a stand up double down the left field line. He took third base on a wild pitch before getting sent home on Julian Rip's groundout to second to put the Spartans up 1-0 early in the game.
The Bulldogs got a run back on a sac fly in the top of the seventh to even things up, but the Spartans responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning to pull ahead for good. With one out and runners on first and second, Matheny ripped a shot to the gap in right center to drive in two runs and put the Spartans back on top. Matthews then plated another run on a sac fly to center for a 4-1 Upstate lead.
The Spartans had a strong day defensively starting with a diving stop by Noah Rabon at third for the second out of the top of the first. He would later turn a 5-3 double play to end the top half of the sixth inning. The middle infield was solid as well as Matthews and MacIntosh each had several sharp snags in the game.
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.
Spartans Win Today, You Save Tomorrow!
Save 50% off online orders at Papa John's locations across the Upstate. Use the code USCUP50 when placing online orders the day after Upstate victories. Also tomorrow, visit The Beacon Drive-In located in Spartanburg and show the win graphic posted to the @UpstateSpartans Instagram account to claim a free sweet tea as part of the "Sweet Taste of Victory" promotion. No purchase necessary.
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