SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate baseball exploded for eight runs off nine hits between the seventh and eighth innings Friday night to defeat Presbyterian College 8-1 in the series opener at Harley Park. With their fifth consecutive win, the Spartans improved to 28-9 (18-9 BSC) while the Blue Hose fell to 12-15 (11-10 BSC) on the year.
"It was a good win tonight, but I've got to give PC's starter credit because he pitched really well. We kept having good at-bats and after the first time through the order, I thought our bats just got better and better, and we were able to break it open with a five-run inning. Tacking the three runs on in the eighth was big as well. We had a lot of contribution from a lot of guys tonight, and that's how we need to be offensively. I'm excited about how we played tonight and how we responded after getting down, and I'm looking forward to getting ready to play tomorrow," said head coach Mike McGuire.
Jordan Marks started the Spartans off with a solid seven innings of work and improved to 8-1 on the year. Those eight wins set a Division I school record for wins in a single season, and tie the overall program record. Marks also sits alone atop the Big South Conference with those eight wins.
Kevin Davis proved why he deservingly earned a spot on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List earlier this week when he entered the game in the top of the eighth with bases loaded, no outs, and the tying run at the plate and struck out the side to get out of the inning with no damage. He closed the game and picked up his league-best sixth save of the season.
At the end five innings, the score still stood even at 0-0 with four hits apiece for each side. However, PC finally struck first in the top of the sixth thanks to a pair of doubles. Kyle Merkle was able to knock in Eric Toth with an RBI double to deep left field to give the Blue Hose the 1-0 lead.
The Spartans later answered in a big way with five runs off six hits in the bottom of the seventh. Jack Gallagher started things off with a leadoff single up the middle, took second on a wild pitch, and made it to third on Robby McGaha's groundout to the pitcher. Cameron MacIntosh then laced one through the left side to drive in Gallagher and get the Spartans on the board. With two outs, Julian Rip drew a walk before Hennessy plated MacIntosh with a grounder to first to give the Spartans the lead. Noah Rabon ripped a single to third, and then Devin Buckner drilled one up the middle for a two-out, two-RBI single to extend Upstate's lead to 4-1. The Spartans' sixth single of the inning came from Jason Matthews who drove in Rabon for the 5-1 lead.
After Davis shut down the Blue Hose in the top of the eighth, the Spartans plated three more runs in the bottom of the inning. Hennessy stepped up with the bases loaded and knocked in MacIntosh with a groundout to first before Rabon came up with a two-RBI triple to the wall in right to push Upstate's lead to 8-1.
Rabon extended his on-base streak to 28 games tonight, and he has recorded a hit in six straight games as he went 2-for-4 at the plate. Gallagher also batted 2-for-4 to extend his hit streak to seven games. Hennessy and Matthews each had a multi-hit night as well, but MacIntosh led the way as he batted 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans return to the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Blue Hose. Game one of the day is set for 2 p.m. with the series finale to follow at approximately 5:30 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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