Weekend Series MatchUP
Game 1: Friday, April 23 | 3:00 p.m. EST
Game 2: Friday, April 23 | 6:30 p.m. EST
Game 3: Saturday, April 24 | 2:00 p.m. EST
USC Upstate (24-9, 15-9 BSC) vs. Longwood University (11-22, 4-15 BSC)
Cleveland S. Harley Baseball Park | Spartanburg, S.C.
*Games subject to change based on weather. Follow @UpstateBSB on Twitter for the most recent updates.

TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
PxP: Lenny Mathis
Color: Scott Netkovick

Projected Starting Pitchers
Game 1: RHP Jordan Marks [6-1, 1.62 ERA, 70K] vs RHP Dylan Saale [1-2, 4.18 ERA, 25K]
Game 2: RHP Nate Payne [0-1, 3.44 ERA, 16K] vs RHP Dominick D'Ercole [2-2, 8.39 ERA, 26K]
Game 3: RHP Alex Garbrick [4-2, 2.08 ERA, 44K] vs LHP Andrew Melnyk [0-2, 6.55 ERA, 31K]

Series History
The Spartans and Lancers have met just seven times in their history, dating back to March 7, 2017 when Upstate knocked off Longwood 10-5 in Spartanburg. The Spartans currently lead the series 6-1, and the lone loss came as a 3-1 decision at home on March 4, 2018. Most recently, the Spartans swept the three-game series against the Lancers back on April 26-18, 2019.

Last Time Out
Upstate enters the weekend series following an 11-8 win at PC this past Tuesday. The Spartans started fast, plating eight runs off eight hits in the top of the first inning. PC responded in the bottom of the first with a couple of solo home runs to cut the Spartan lead to 8-2, but Devin Buckner laced an RBI double into right field in the top of the third to score Julian Rip and extend Upstate's lead to 9-2. PC used a three-run home run to cut the deficit to 9-5 in the fourth, and would plate another run via an RBI single in the seventh to narrow Upstate's lead to 9-6. Jeff Taylor brought Noah Rabon in to score on a sac fly to center in the eighth to push the Spartans lead to 10-6, and the Spartans would add their 11th and final run on an RBI single from Noah Rabon, his fourth of the game, in the top of the ninth to give Upstate an 11-6 lead. PC, however, would plate two runs in the ninth to cut the lead to 11-8, and load the bases with two outs before Upstate closer Kevin Davis secured the game-ending strikeout.

Longwood enters the weekend series having lost their midweek conference matchup against Radford 16-5 this past Tuesday, marking the third consecutive loss for the Lancers, who also dropped two games to PC this past Saturday. The Lancers found themselves behind in a hurry on Tuesday, as they trailed 11-0 after just two innings. Longwood would respond with a lone run in the bottom of the third thanks to an RBI single to cut the deficit to 11-1, but would see the deficit grow once again when the Highlanders plated four more runs in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 16-1. Longwood held the Highlanders scoreless for the remainder of the game while adding lone runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings.

Ones to Watch
Upstate:

• Ace Jordan Marks enters the weekend following a dominant performance in his most recent start last Friday against Charleston Southern. Marks went the distance to pick up the first complete-game shutout of his career, and recorded nine strikeouts while surrendering just four hits and two walks in the process. Marks' 1.62 ERA leads the Big South Conference, ranks 18th in all of Division I, and ranks 14th in Division I among pitchers who have made at least 5 appearances this season. Marks also boasts 70 strikeouts on the season, which also leads the Big South Conference and ranks 18th in DI.
• Devin Buckner enters the weekend series following a 4-for-5 outing at the plate in Upstate's midweek game against PC. He was one of the driving forces behind the Spartans' 11 runs, and he recorded the lone extra-base hit in the game for Upstate. Buckner is currently second among Spartans hitters in OPS (.932), batting average (.336), hits (40), and RBI (29), and leads all Spartan hitters in walks (21). Buckner also ranks fifth in the Big South in walks and sixth in RBI.
• Noah Rabon continues to have a strong season at the plate, and he enters this weekend following a 4-for-6 performance at the plate against PC on Tuesday. Rabon had an RBI and two runs alongside his four singles, and he extended his on-base streak to 24 games in the process. He is currently fourth on the Spartan roster in batting average at .323, and is tied with teammate Devin Bucker for second on the team—and in the conference— in hits with 40. Additionally, Rabon ranks second among all Spartan hitters in slugging percentage at .500, and has recorded at least one hit in eight of Upstate's last 10 games.

Longwood:

• Freshman Elliot Dix has been a bright spot at the plate for Longwood, and he enters the weekend leading the Lancers in batting average (.347), RBI (31), slugging percentage (.551), and on-base percentage (.423). His .347 batting average is also good enough for eighth in the Big South Conference. Dix enters the weekend series following a .368 average at the plate across the four games in last weekend's series against PC, but was 0-4 in Longwood's midweek matchup against Radford, and will be looking to bounce back this weekend.
• Sophomore first baseman Hunter Gilliam will look to continue what has been a stellar season at the plate for the Lancers, and he enters the weekend as Longwood's leader in hits (37) and doubles (7). He also ranks second on the Lancers' roster in batting average (.319), slugging percentage (.457), and on-base percentage (.406), and ranks third in walks (13) and RBI (18).

Notes

• The Spartans currently lead the conference in hits (321), and rank second in team batting average (.286), runs (206), doubles (58), RBI (187), slugging percentage (.397), hit-by-pitch (59), and on-base percentage (.378).
• Upstate's pitching staff currently leads the conference in team ERA (2.86), runs allowed (112), earned runs (92), strikeouts (301), and opposing batting average (.229).
• National Rankings: Eighth in team ERA (2.86), ninth in hit-by-pitch (59), 21st in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.14), 31st in RPI.

UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans continue their home stand next weekend when they host PC for a three-game series. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST on Friday, April 30, and games two and three of the series will follow on Saturday, May 1, with first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for 2 p.m. EST. The Spartans and Blue Hose have already met twice this season, and the Spartans came away with the win in both games by scores of 13-0 and 11-8.

Fan Experience Update
Upstate now sells beer at all Friday and Saturday home baseball games. Options include Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light Seltzer, RJ Rockers Hazy IPA, and RJ Rockers Son of a Peach. Please drink responsibly.

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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