ASHEVILLE, N.C. – USC Upstate baseball won its 11th consecutive Big South Conference game Tuesday evening to set a new Division I program record of 34 wins in a single season. The Spartans held on to defeat UNC Asheville 7-6 in the road to improve to 34-10 (25-9 BSC), while the Bulldogs fall to 15-27 (14-20 BSC).
This is just the sixth time in program history, dating back to 1986, that the Spartans have won 34 games in a single season. Further, it's just the second time as an NCAA institution this milestone has been reached. As an NAIA institution, the Spartans won 34 games twice, 35 games once, and 36 games once from 1986-1990.
"It wasn't always pretty tonight, but we got a win, and that's what matters the most. I thought Nate [Payne] did a great job coming back after being out for a couple weeks and pitching as long and efficiently as he did. Offensively, I thought we did several good things. I liked the way we started in the first inning with situational hitting. I also liked how we responded all night. Every time Asheville tied it, we immediately took the lead again. I think that shows signs of a mature club that wasn't phased by the fact that they tied it up on us," said head coach Mike McGuire.
Nate Payne made his fourth start of the season on the mound and recorded a season-high seven strikeouts through 3.1 innings of work. He allowed just one walk, and both runs allowed were unearned.
Jake Cubbler and Sean Hupp each made an appearance before Sean Hupp took over in the bottom of the sixth with two outs and a runner on second. Hupp went on to throw 2.1 scoreless innings while giving up just one hit, no walks, and striking out two to get credit for the win and improve to 4-2 this season.
Kevin Davis came on in the bottom of the ninth with the Spartans up 7-4 to get the final three outs and pick up his league leading ninth save of the year. He is now tied for third on the program's all-time list for saves in a single season.
Julian Rip led the Spartans at the plate, batting 3-for-5 with a homer, two RBI, and three runs scored. All three of his hits came in the leadoff spot throughout the game. Rip also swiped two bags on the day to bring his season total to 12, which ranks in the top-3 of the conference.
Noah Rabon also batted 3-for-5 with an RBI, while Devin Buckner and Jeff Taylor each drove in a run.
The Spartans struck early as Jack Hennessy led off the day with a one-hopper over the wall in right field for a ground-rule double, and was later brought in by Devin Buckner who smoked an RBI single to third base. Jason Matthews stepped up with his league-leading 16th double of the year to right center to get runners on second and third with one out for Rip, who drove in his first run of the day with a groundout to second base that put the Spartans up 2-0 after the top of the first.
The Bulldogs responded with a single run in the bottom of the inning off a two-out RBI single to the gap in center to cut their early deficit in half.
However, Rip caused more trouble in the top of the fourth as he led off with a single to left, swiped second and took third on an errant throw by Asheville's catcher, and scored on Taylor's RBI groundout to shortstop to make it 3-1.
Asheville tied things up at 3-3 with a single run in the fourth and fifth innings, but Rip immediately retook the lead for the Spartans in the top of the sixth with his fourth homerun of the year, a solo leadoff shot to left.
With a pair of singles in the bottom of the sixth, the Bulldogs were able to tie things back up at 4-4 off a two-out RBI single to right.
Rip drilled another leadoff hit in the top of the eighth, this time a single up the middle, and stole second for the second time in the game. After that, the Asheville pitcher made an errant throw off a chopper from Cameron MacIntosh, and Rip was able to take advantage of that to score and put the Spartans back up 5-4.
After Hupp retired the Bulldogs in order in the bottom of the eighth, the Spartans were able to add some insurance with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth. Brady Garrison drew a leadoff walk before Chandler Kelley came on to pinch run and took second on a balk. After a bunt from Hennessy, the Bulldog pitcher sailed an errant throw that allowed Kelley to score and Hennessy to reach third. Rabon then drove in Hennessy with a single right back up the middle for a 7-4 lead.
The Bulldogs kept it interesting, however, with a two-out, two-RBI triple to right center in the bottom of the ninth to make it a 7-6 ballgame, but Davis forced a fly out to Hennessy in centerfield to secure the win.
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans return to Harley Park this weekend for a three-game series against Campbell to wrap up the 2021 home slate. It's alumni weekend, and Friday night is Cancer Awareness Night with Senior Day set for Saturday. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 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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