SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate softball closed out the Spartan classic with a 9-3 win over Holy Cross to not only go undefeated in its second straight tournament but also extend its winning streak to six games. Alanna Deal earned her first home run of the season to close out the game and Denver Lauer earned her first career home run in the fourth inning.  

After both teams came out of the first inning scoreless, Taliyah Thomas pinch ran for Peyton Darnell and was able to get Upstate on the board in the bottom of the inning off a single from Denver Lauer. Lauer extended Upstate's lead in the second inning after scoring off Celeste Delorenzo's single to center field. Holy Cross got on the board in the top of the third inning but Upstate was able to keep a two-run lead after Peyton Darnell hit a single up the middle, allowing Summer Johnson to score. The Crusaders were able to tie the game 3-3 in the top of the fourth, but the Spartans responded with a home run from Denver Lauer to reclaim the lead. Upstate's home run would go unanswered by Holy Cross as the Spartans scored another five runs to finish out the game 9-3. Four of Upstate's final five runs came in the bottom of the fifth inning courtesy of Caroline Jacquay, Peyton Darnell, Casey Goguts, and Mady Lanoux. Deal capped the win for Upstate with one final run in the form of a home run sent over left center field.  

Alyssa Kelly started in the circle for Upstate, looking to get her third win of the season. Kelly pitched 4.0 innings and had three strikeouts until she was relieved by Maddie Drerup in the top of the fifth. Drerup pitched the remaining 3.0 innings where she threw five strikeouts and surrendered no runs.  

 
 
Game One                 
Score: USC Upstate 9; Holy Cross 3 
Records: USC Upstate (6-0, 0-0 Big South); Holy Cross (2-2, 0-0 Patriot League) 

Location: Cyrill Softball Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.                
                
Notable                

• Denver Lauer's home run was not only her first of the season but her first career home run.  

• Alanna Deal's home run was her first of the season and the third of her career.  

• Summer Johnson extends her reached base streak and hitting streak to six games. 

• With her one stolen base today, Denver Lauer leads Upstate with five stolen bases. 

• Upstate tied its season high of home runs in a game (2) for the third time this season (George Mason, Maine). 

• The pitching staff tied its season high for strikeouts (8) for the second time this season (George Mason). 

Couldn't make it to Cyrill Stadium for days one and two of the Spartan Classic?  

Read how USC Upstate did against George Mason here.  

Read how USC Upstate did against UMES here. 

Up Next for the Spartans 

Upstate will finish the Spartan Classic in a final game against Holy Cross on Sunday afternoon.  

      
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