BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Upstate finished out the three-game series with Gardner-Webb in a double-header split on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans finish the weekend with a 16-5 conference record, retaining their seat at the top of the Big South.
The Spartans trailed early on in game two of the series as the Bulldogs took a five-run lead in the bottom of the first inning. Upstate was able to hold the Bulldogs scoreless for the remainder of the game while making a late comeback effort, starting in the top of the sixth inning. Peyton Darnell grounded out to second base, allowing Celeste Delorenzo to put Upstate on the board. In the top of the seventh, Delorenzo grounded out with the bases loaded to send Denver Lauer home and shorten the Bulldog's lead. Tiffany Domingue hit a single up the middle, allowing Sarah Price and Marisa Soterakis to score. Alyssa Kelly took the mound to pitch 6.0 innings and one strikeout.
Game three was a different story as Upstate used the late momentum from game two to get an early lead in game three. Peyton Darnell started the game off with a home run over center field in the top of the second. Casey Goguts gave Upstate a two-run lead as she came home off a Summer Johnson single up the middle. Johnson extended the Spartans' lead, sending Goguts home again with another single in the top of the fourth; Alanna Deal reached home in the top of the fourth as well off an error by the Gardner-Webb catcher. Goguts scored one more run in the top of the seventh, as did Celeste Delorenzo and Caroline Jacquay to finish the game 7-0. Hannah Houge pitched 7.0 innings and 15 strikeouts while surrendering no runs.
Game Two
Score: USC Upstate 4; Gardner-Webb 5
Records: USC Upstate (41-7, 15-5 Big South); Gardner-Webb (15-22, 7-13 Big South)
Location: Brinkley Softball Stadium | Boiling Springs, N.C.
How It Happened
Game Three
Score: USC Upstate 7; Gardner-Webb 0
Records: USC Upstate (42-7, 16-5 Big South); Gardner-Webb (15-23, 7-14 Big South)
Location: Brinkley Softball Stadium | Boiling Springs, N.C.
How It Happened
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T2: Peyton Darnell sent a ball flying over center field to get Upstate on the board.
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T2: Summer Johnson hit a single up the middle to send Casey Goguts home for the first time in game three.
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T4: Johnson got her second hit of the game this time through the right side, once again to send Casey Goguts back home.
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T4: Alanna Deal reached home off an error by the GWU catcher.
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T5: Peyton Darnell hit a single to right-center, giving Celeste Delorenzo enough time to reach home plate.
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T5: Johnson recorded her third hit of the day with a single through the right side as Goguts and Caroline Jacquay rounded home plate for the final time.
Notable
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Peyton Darnell hit her 15th home run of the season in game three.
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Darnell surpassed 100 total bases after today's performance.
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Darnell hit her 15th multi-RBI game while Summer Johnson hit her seventh multi-RBI game.
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Hannah Houge recorded a new season-high of 15 strikeouts, surpassing her former high of 14 strikeouts set against NKU (2/18/22).
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Houge recorded her 14th shutout of the season in game three.
UP NEXT:
Upstate will play its final home series of the season against Hampton on Friday and Saturday.
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Sparty's Ball and Auction:
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