Weekend Series
March 24-26, 2023 | 6:00 p.m. / 6:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (13-9; 0-0 Big South) at High Point (7-13; 1-2 Big South)
Williard Stadium | High Point, N.C.
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | High Point
Game One: RHP Reese Dutton (2-2; 3.41 ERA) | RHP Carter Sheppard (0-0; 6.11 ERA)
Game Two: LHP Henry Proger (2-3; 5.00 ERA) | RHP Gus Hughes (3-2; 5.02 ERA)
Game Three: RHP Chase Matheny (1-2; 6.41 ERA) | To Be Announced
 
Series History
Continuing a series that restarted when USC Upstate joined the Big South ahead of the 2018-19 season, Upstate and High Point are meeting for the 15^th, 16^th, and 17^th times in the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.). The programs met for a pair of midweek contests in 2008 before meeting in each full season since 2019 with the Spartans owning a 9-5 advantage in the series. Upstate took two of three meetings last season from the Panthers at Harley Park last season.
 
Last Time Out
March 21, 2023: USC Upstate 8; Queens 6
March 21, 2023: No. 8 Virginia 8; High Point 3
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate:
Pitcher: Taking the ball in game one of the series for the Spartans, redshirt junior right-hander Reese Dutton makes his sixth start of the season as he enters with a 2-2 record and 3.41 ERA. He is coming off an 11-strikeout performance against Cincinnati last Thursday—the first double-digit strikeout game for a Spartan since 2021—a game in which he scattered four baserunners and didn't allow a baserunner following the second inning. He enters the weekend ranked fourth in the Big South in total strikeouts, punching out 37 hitters this season.
 
Position Player: Reaching base Tuesday at Queens, redshirt junior centerfielder Daniel Gernon pushed his reached base streak to 20 games, becoming the second active streak greater than 20 games for Upstate this season. He's reached base in all 20 games in which he's come to the plate this season, doing so by posting a .348 batting average and .500 on-base percentage. He's also been quite efficient on the base paths, stealing five bags in as many attempts.
 
High Point:
Pitcher: The Panthers' Saturday starter, right-hander Gus Hughes enters the weekend leading the Big South in strikeouts with 39 on the season, striking out a season-high 15 batters against Lafayette on March 5. He enters the weekend with a decision in each of his five starts, sporting a 3-2 record and a 5.02 ERA over 28.2 innings.
 
Position Player: Entering the weekend series, catcher Blake Sutton leads the Big South in home runs, hitting nine on the season, including a pair of multi-homer games. He sports a .710 slugging percentage on the year while leading High Point with 20 RBI. He's hitting .242 heading into Friday's game and reaches base at a .390 clip.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Following the team's first Big South road series of the season, Upstate remains on the road to conclude its five-game road swing, travelling to Elon Tuesday. The Spartans and Phoenix are set for a 6 p.m. ET first pitch.
 
Youth Baseball Field of Dreams Program
Bring your youth baseball team to meet the Spartans and take the field for the National Anthem at select games at Harley Park this season! The program is free and so is admission thanks to Ingles! For details and to sign up, go to www.upstatespartans.com/fieldofdreams
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans 
Make a difference in the lives of USC Upstate student-athletes!  Donate to the USC Upstate U Club today!