Tuesday's MatchUP
May 17, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (32-19-1; 17-6-1 Big South) vs. Kennesaw State (30-22; 17-10 ASUN)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Kennesaw State
RHP Julian Parson (1-0; 8.71 ERA) | RHP Makenzie Stills (1-1; 8.42 ERA)
 
Series History
In a continuation of a series pitting two former ASUN adversaries, USC Upstate and Kennesaw State are meeting for the 32^nd time in the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.) Tuesday evening. The Owls lead the all-time series 23-8 after capturing the previous meeting between the two clubs earlier this season on March 29, taking the game in extras.
 
Last Time Out
USC Upstate: vs. UNC Asheville (W, 8-0; L, 11-3; T, 5-5)
Kennesaw State: vs. Stetson (W, 23-5; L, 10-9; W, 14-3)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate:
Pitcher: Taking the ball for the Spartans Tuesday night, freshman right-hander Julian Parson makes his first career start. His start marks his eighth appearance of the season as he's coming off back-to-back scoreless relief appearances, permitting just two hits while striking out six over 6.0 innings against Gardner-Webb and UNC Asheville. Overall, he's tossed 10.1 innings this year while collecting a win in 2.2 innings against the Citadel on March 9.
 
Position Player: After driving home a team-best seven runs in four games last week, redshirt sophomore leftfielder Noah Rabon enters the midweek ranked second in the Big South in RBI, driving home a program D1 era single-season record 53. He also enters the Kennesaw State contest in the midst of a 15-game hitting streak while he's driven in a run or more in seven straight games. On the year, Rabon is hitting .296 with seven homers and 53 RBI while also stealing 15 bases.
 
Kennesaw State:
Pitcher: For the second time in as many games against USC Upstate, right-hander Makenzie Stills gets the ball for the Owls. On the year, he owns a 1-1 record and 8.42 earned run average, pitching 25.2 innings over 11 appearances, including six starts. In the first game with Upstate, Stills tossed a career-high-tying 4.0 innings, allowing just two hits and a run while striking out three.
 
Position Player: After collecting 12 hits, including nine extra-base hits with four homers and five doubles, last week, first baseman Donovan Cash garnered ASUN Player of the Week honors. He drove in 11 runs and scored eight more as he's currently riding an eight-game hitting streak. On the season, he ranks second on the Owl club with a .376 average, hitting eight home runs and driving in 51 over 50 games.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
Following the season's final midweek game, the Spartans hit the road for one final tune-up ahead of the postseason, heading out of conference for a three-game set at Ohio State. The three-game series takes place Thursday through Saturday in Columbus, Ohio with all three games featuring an audio broadcast on UpstateSpartans.com.
 
JOIN UP
Make a difference in the lives of USC Upstate student-athletes! Donate to the USC Upstate U Club today!
 
Sparty's Ball and Auction:
Reserve your tickets for Sparty's Ball and Auction featuring The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos, Saturday, May 21, 2022, at upstatespartans.com/spartysball.

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