Weekend Series
May 19-21, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (33-19-1; 17-6-1 Big South) at Ohio State (20-29; 8-14 Big 10)
Bill Davis Stadium | Columbus, Ohio
 
TV: BTN+ ($) | Links Available on the Baseball Schedule Page
Audio: Spartan Sports Network | Via UpstateSpartans.com
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Ohio State
Game One: RHP Noah Sullivan (5-0; 3.00 ERA) | RHP Nate Haberthier (0-5; 6.93 ERA)
Game Two: LHP Sawyer Worrell (3-1; 4.59 ERA) | LHP Isaiah Coupet (4-5; 5.31 ERA)
Game Three: RHP Jacob Curry (5-3; 4.91 ERA) | RHP Wyatt Loncar (2-4; 4.56 ERA)
 
Series History
In this weekend's three-game series, USC Upstate and Ohio State are meeting for the first time in the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.). In his career, Upstate head coach Mike McGuire is 0-4 against Ohio State, competing against the Buckeyes in a pair of midweek sets in 2015 and 2016 while at Morehead State.
 
Last Time Out
USC Upstate: vs. Kennesaw State (W, 4-2)
Ohio State: vs. Cincinnati (W, 5-3)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate:
Pitcher: After tossing a career-high six scoreless innings in his third pitching start of the season, collecting his fifth victory of the year, freshman right-hander Noah Sullivan garnered Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week accolades. He scattered three hits during his outing, permitting just seven baserunners, all of whom he left stranded while holding UNC Asheville to a .136 batting average. He struck out a career-high five batters in his outing, picking up a strikeout in four of his six innings on the mound.
Position Player: Following up on his torrid week at the plate that saw him drive home seven runs and collect six hits across four games last week, redshirt sophomore leftfielder Noah Rabon stayed hot at the plate in Tuesday's midweek against Kennesaw State. He finished the night 3-for-4, collecting his 20^th multi-hit game of the season while extending his team-long hitting streak to 16 games. He's driven in 53 runs this season, a Division I era single-season record.
 
Ohio State:
Pitcher: Picking up the start for the Buckeyes in game three of the weekend's series, left-hander Isaiah Coupet enters as Ohio State's winningest pitcher. On the year, he owns a 4.31 earned run average and a 4-5 record, striking out 91 batters over 59.1 innings. Last weekend, he started game three against Penn State, tossing 5.0 innings, surrendering five hits and two runs while striking out eight.
 
Position Player: Entering the weekend series, third baseman Marcus Ernst leads Ohio State in batting average, hitting .344 (65-for-189) over 49 games this season. Hitting atop the order, he's reached in six straight games, despite going 0-for-4 he drew a walk against Cincinnati. His 65 hits lead the team while he's collected 12 extra-base hits, including seven doubles and three homers as he's driven in 23 runs and scored 40 more.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
Following its final weekend series of the year, Upstate begins preparations for the 2022 Big South Baseball Championship held at Truist Point in High Point, N.C. from May 25-28. The Spartans enter the event as the No. 2 seed after securing the position with a win last Friday against UNC Asheville. Upstate opens the tournament next Thursday.
 
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.

Keep UP with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateBSB @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateBSB @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans