THIS WEEKENDS MATCH UPS
Vs. Longwood University (6-13)
Mar. 11 | 1:00 p.m.
Mar. 11 | 3:00 p.m.
Mar. 12 | 1:00 pm.
*Note all games are subject to change due to inclement weather
Watch: All the games will be available to stream through ESPN+.
Live Stats: Live stats will be available for all contests this weekend and can be accessed through upstatespartans.com.
Spartanburg S.C. - USC Upstate returns home after a stellar performance at the Stetson Invitational which concluded with head coach Chris Hawkins earning his 1000th career win as a head coach. Upstate will host Longwood University in a three-game series, playing a doubleheader on Friday and one game Saturday afternoon.
The Spartans boasted five consecutive wins at the Stetson Invitational, scoring 34 total runs and surrendering only five runs across the weekend. Friday Upstate beat Bethune-Cookman 2-1 and went on to beat Stetson 7-2 immediately after. Saturday was an impressive effort as the Spartans gave up no runs, winning 8-0 over Bethune-Cookman and 6-0 win over Stetson. Sunday concluded the tournament as Peyton Darnell lifted Upstate to victory over Florida International with her second home run of the game, securing Hawk his 1000th win.
Hannah Houge started on the mound for four out of the Spartans six contests, winning all four. Houge threw 387 pitches through a total of 22.1 innings, surrendering 13 hits and eight runs while recording 29 strikeouts and a 2.19 ERA. Casey Goguts started all six matches as the catcher for Upstate, recording six runs, 11 hits, seven RBI, and one homerun. Mady Lanoux started all six games for Upstate as the first baseman, recording eight runs, eight hits, and six RBI.
Following the Stetson Invitational, Upstate was ranked in the top 25 nationally in nine categories as well as having six Spartans claiming national rankings in at least two categories. Upstate received votes from the NFCA and ESPN/USA Today during the week four Top 25 poll while improving to a 40 RPI.
Longwood is coming off a 1-4 performance at the Green and Gold Classic hosted by the University of Alabama Birmingham. The Lancers lost 8-3 and 7-3 to UAB in a double header on Friday. On Saturday, they bounced back with a 3-0 win over Harvard, but fell once again to UAB 2-0. To finish the tournament they rematched Harvard, this time losing 5-1.
Players to Watch:
USC Upstate (18-1):
Peyton Darnell started all five games for Upstate this weekend, serving as the designated player. Darnell recorded a .483 batting average (9-16) with three home runs, seven hits 11 RBI, and a 1.00 slugging percentage. Darnell was recognized as by the NFCA as a top performer following the Stetson Invitational.
Longwood (6-13):
Alexis Wayland has started all 19 games for the Lancers as a catcher/ third baseman. Wayland has recorded four runs, 16 hits, 13 RBI, and 27 total bases. She has a .296 batting average, a .500 slugging percentage, and a .969 fielding percentage.
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