SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate baseball took both games of a doubleheader against Radford on Saturday, allowing just one run across the whole day to complete the sweep of the Highlanders and start off Big South play 3-0.
After shutting Radford out 7-0 in the first game, Upstate took the series finale to stay undefeated on the year and start the season 9-0 for the first time in the Division I era and the first time as a program since 1991.
"It was a great day of baseball with two great starts on the mound. I'm really pleased with how we pitched all weekend. That's kind of what we expect out of those guys. I thought offensively we did a lot of good things today, and I like how we're coming together offensively. We're doing a lot of the little things it takes to win especially when you're facing good pitching. I think Radford is a good team, and we were fortunate to play them at home. We played well, and I'm excited about where we're at. If we keep playing the way we are, I think we have a chance to have a great year," said head coach Mike McGuire.
Jason Matthews went 4-for-8 at the plate on the day with an RBI and four runs. He crossed the plate first to get Upstate on the board in game one before his RBI double in the sixth pushed Upstate's lead to 4-0.
Jack Gallagher also knocked in a pair of runs in the first game of the day, and Cameron MacIntosh batted 2-for-4 with a double and a run.
Alex Garbrick and Sawyer Worrell combined for the shutout in game one. Garbrick tossed the first 6.1 innings while allowing just one hit and striking out seven Radford batters to get credit for the win and improve to 3-0 on the year. Radford threated with a leadoff triple in the top of the fifth, but with one out and runners on the corners, Garbrick struck out the victim at the plate before Damon Maynard gunned down the runner trying to steal second to get out of the small jam. Worrell threw a solid 2.2 innings to close things out with three strikeouts.
Devin Buckner went off for a two-hit, five-RBI effort in game two of the day. He launched a grand slam over the left center wall in the bottom of the fifth to get Upstate on the board for the 4-1 lead, and later drove in security run on a single to right center on the bottom of the seventh.
Ben Ferrer went the distance in game two to pick up his third win of the year. After giving up a run in the top of the first, he shut the Highlanders down the rest of the way and struck out six batters in the process.
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans head to Clemson on Tuesday for their first midweek matchup of the year. First pitch against the Tigers is set for 4 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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