THIS WEEKENDS MATCH UPS
Feb. 17 | George Mason | 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 17 | Holy Cross | 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 18 | Maryland Eastern Shore | 3:00 p.m.
Feb. 19 | Holy Cross | 12:00 p.m.
Live Stats: Live Stats will be available for each contest in the Spartan Classic. No broadcast will be available. Click here to see live stats.
Overview:
USC Upstate is ready to host the annual Spartan Classic, following the Upstate Classic which ended early due to poor weather. The Spartan Classic has been a massive success for the Spartans in past years including a five-game sweep in 2022 and a four-game sweep in 2020. Upstate will play George Mason, Holy Cross, and Maryland Eastern Shore in the tournament.
Players to Watch:
USC Upstate: Tiffany Domingue had an impressive performance through the Upstate Classic, leaving the weekend with five runs, five hits, one double, two home runs, seven RBI, and 12 total bases. Domingue wasn't alone in her efforts as Sarah Price and Bella Bertot also walked away with their first home runs of the season. The Spartans finished the Upstate Classic with 17 stolen bases, 23 hits, 30 runs, 20 RBI, and 44 total bases, along with a .400 batting average and a .587 slugging percentage.
George Mason: George Mason opened its 2023 season at the Runnin' Bulldogs Classic hosted by Gardner-Webb. At the Runnin' Bulldogs Classic, the Patriots went 2-1 overall with two wins against Robert Morris University (4-1, 2-1) and one win against Ohio University (6-5). Much like the Upstate Classic, the Runnin' Bulldog Classic got cut short due to weather. Haley Taormina had an exceptional performance with one run, six hits, two doubles, one triple, three RBI, and 10 total bases, as did Alena Ball who had four runs, three hits, one RBI, and three total bases.
Holy Cross: Holy Cross will commence its 2023 season at the Spartan Classic, starting with UMES on Friday morning. Holy Cross went 21-29 overall last year with an 8-10 record in conference play. The Crusaders return first baseman Claire McCann who had five runs, 38 hits, four double, one home run, 18 RBI and 45 total bases as well as a .286 batting average. Also returning for the 2023 season is junior pitcher, Megan Yurchick, who went 7-13 with 57 strikeouts in the 2022 season.
Maryland Eastern Shore: UMES will also kick off the 2023 season at the Spartan Classic, starting with Holy Cross on Friday morning. UMES went 18-33 overall last year with a 13-8 record in conference play. The Hawks return junior Kelsie Ekstrom who had 24 runs, 41 hits, 12 doubles, one triple, 29 RBI, four stolen bases, and 55 total bases in the 2022 season. Also returning for the 2023 season is junior pitcher, Ameenah Ballenger who went 7-8 with 41 strikeouts in the 2022 season.
Tournament Schedule:
February 17 George Mason vs. UMES 1:00 p.m. (Neutral Site Game)
February 17 UMES vs. Holy Cross 3:00 p.m. (Neutral Site Game)
February 17 Upstate vs. George Mason 5:00 p.m.
February 17 Upstate vs. Holy Cross 7:00 p.m.
February 18 George Mason vs. S.C. State 11:00 a.m. (Neutral Site Game)
February 18 Holy Cross vs. S.C. State 1:00 p.m. (Neutral Site Game)
February 18 Upstate vs. UMES 3:00 p.m.
February 18 Holy Cross vs. George Mason 5:00 p.m. (Neutral Site Game)
February 19 UMES vs. George Mason 10:00 a.m. (Neutral Site Game)
February 19 Upstate vs. Holy Cross 12:00 p.m.
February 19 S.C. State vs. UMES 2:00 p.m. (Neutral Site Game)
*Note all games are subject to change due to inclement weather
UP NEXT FOR THE SPARTANS
Upstate will host its final tournament for the season in the form of the Wings Etc. Classic which will feature teams such as Drexel, Ioan, and Queens (N.C.). The Wings Etc. Classic is set to be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (2/24-2/26).
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
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