SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate baseball wraps up its 2021 home slate this weekend when the Spartans host Campbell in a key Big South Conference series matchup. Heading into the last couple weeks of the regular season, Upstate currently sits right above Campbell in the top spot of the Big South standings.
Weekend Series MatchUP
Game 1: Friday, May 14 | 6:00 p.m. EST
Game 2: Saturday, May 15 | 2:00 p.m. EST
Game 3: Saturday, May 15 | 5:30 p.m. EST
USC Upstate (34-10, 25-9 BSC) vs. Campbell University (27-14, 22-9 BSC)
Cleveland S. Harley Baseball Park | Spartanburg, S.C.
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
PxP: Lenny Mathis
Color: Scott Netkovick
Projected Starting Pitchers
Game 1: RHP Jordan Marks [9-1, 1.76 ERA, 87K] vs RHP Cade Kuehler [5-1, 3.26 ERA, 34K]
Game 2: RHP Alex Garbrick [7-2, 2.41 ERA, 61K] vs LHP Ryan Chasse [5-2, 4.01 ERA, 60K]
Game 3: RHP Ben Ferrer [4.02, 3-1, 28K] vs RHP Thomas Harrington [4-2, 3.63 ERA, 57K]
Series History
Friday will be the 18th all-time meeting between Upstate and Campbell since Upstate joined the Division I ranks. The Spartans hold a 12-5 advantage in the overall series dating back to March 14, 2008, and they took the first eight consecutive matchups against the Camels. Most recently, the Spartans entered the weekend series at Campbell earlier this season undefeated and took Friday's game before dropping both games of Saturday's doubleheader to drop the series.
Last Time Out
The Spartans held on to defeat UNC Asheville 7-6 in the road Tuesday night for their 11th consecutive Big South Conference game, which set a new Division I program record of 34 wins in a single season. 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 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.
Campbell picked up its fifth win over Winthrop this season with a 12-3 victory Tuesday night. Campbell went without a home run for the first time in 11 games, but still reached double digits by scoring at least one run in six different innings. The Camels scored 69 runs across five games against Winthrop this season to go 5-0 in the series this year.Despite their efforts, the Blue Hose were unable to respond, and Asheville added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a two-run home from MJ Lucas.
Notes
- Upstate 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. 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.
- The Spartans have earned weekly Big South awards for four consecutive weeks, and have claimed the Player of the Week for three straight weeks.
- This past Friday against High Point, ace Jordan Marks broke the school record for strikeouts in a single season, surpassing Tyler Jackson (2016) and Matt Branham (2010) on the all-time list with 87. Additionally, with his league-best ninth win of the season, Marks broke a 31-year-old school record for wins in a single season. He also tied Scott Eckard's school record for career wins with 20.
- Seven of Upstate's main starters are batting over .320 this season, led by Jack Hennessy and Julian Rip with a .336 average. As a team, the Spartans rank second in the conference and 18th in the nation with a .302 team batting average.
- Shortstop Jason Matthews leads the Big South with 57 hits, and five of the top 10 players in that category are Spartans as Noah Rabon ranks third with 56, Devin Buckner ranks seventh with 52, and Jack Hennessy and Jack Gallagher are ninth and 10th with 51 and 50, respectively. Matthews also leads the league with 16 doubles.
- Upstate's pitching staff continues to dominate the Big South as the Spartans lead the conference and rank seventh in the nation with a 3.11 ERA. Upstate also leads the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.01, 21st nationally), hits allowed per nine innings (8.24, 55th nationally), walks allowed per nine innings (3.06, 15th nationally), and WHIP (1.26, 22nd nationally).
- For the third week in a row and the eighth week overall, the Spartans are receiving votes in the USA Today Top-25 Coaches' Poll. Upstate also ranks 35th in RPI.
UP Next for the Spartans
Upstate just announced this past Wednesday the addition of a midweek contest at the University of Louisville for Tuesday, May 18. The Spartans will face the Cardinals for the first time in program history for their final midweek game of the season. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Jim Patterson Stadium.
Cancer Awareness Night
Friday night is Cancer Awareness Night in honor of Mars Hill baseball player Jacob Legleiter, a friend of LHP Reilly Kirkpatrick. Both clubs will wear cancer awareness stickers on their helmets throughout the weekend. Members of the Spartanburg Regional Foundation will be in attendance Friday, and there will be a banner for fans to sign in honor and memory of loved ones with cancer. Donations to the Spartanburg Regional Cancer Fund are encouraged and can be made here.
Senior Day
Upstate will recognize 13 of its graduated seniors on Saturday before first pitch of the first game of the doubleheader. Those set to be honored include Austin Morgan, Jason Matthews, Alex Garbrick, Ben Ferrer, Will Lancaster, Mason Stewart, Jack Gallagher, Robby McGaha, Sean Hupp, Kyle Schmitt, Jordan Marks, Julian Rip, and Johnathan Carlyle.
Fan Experience
Admission is complimentary thanks to our on-going partnership with Ingles Markets. Grandstand seats are limited, and certain seats are closed to keep fans at a safe distance. Fans are encouraged to bring tailgate chairs. A full line of concession items are available, including beer from Budweiser of Spartanburg and RJ Rockers Brewing on Friday and Saturday. Also, youth baseball players will receive a free signed poster while supplies last.
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