Midweek Slate
March 7-8, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.
USC Upstate (7-5; 0-0 Big South) vs. Sacred Heart (3-6; 0-0 NEC); vs. No. 20 South Carolina (11-1; 0-0 SEC)
Cleveland S. Harley Park / Fluor Field | Spartanburg, S.C. / Greenville, S.C.
 
Tickets (Wednesday Only): Click Here to Order
TV: ESPN+ (Wednesday Only) | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Opponents
Game One (vs. Sacred Heart): RHP Julian Parson (0-0; 5.40 ERA) | RHP Nick Kane (0-0; 10.12 ERA)
Game Two (vs. South Carolina): RHP Mathieu Curtis (2-0; 1.86 ERA) | LHP Matthew Becker (1-0; 9.00 ERA)
 
Series History
In its first game of the week, Upstate meets Sacred Heart for the first time in the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.). The Pioneers follow Towson and Troy as new opponents for the Spartans in 2023. In Upstate's second game of the week, the Spartans face off with South Carolina for the 15^th time in the team's D1 era. The Spartans took the last meeting between the two clubs, the Spartans' first win in the series, winning 9-6 in Columbia on May 10, 2022.
 
Last Time Out
USC Upstate: vs. Troy (L, 5-2; L, 15-9; L, 10-0 [7 inn.])
Sacred Heart: vs. Wofford (L, 9-3; L, 15-8; L, 5-1)
South Carolina: vs. Clemson (L, 5-2; W, 11-9; W, 7-1)
 
Players to Watch
Upstate: Collecting five hits, including a 3-for-3 game in game one versus Troy, sophomore third baseman Cole Caruso was the Spartans' top hitter last week, leading the team with a .455 batting average against the Trojans and crafting a .429 average for the week. He had the go-ahead double in the win over Clemson last Tuesday as he enters the new week riding a five-game hitting and an 11-game reached base streak. For the season, he's hitting .325 with a team-high three doubles while also leading the club with nine walks.
 
Sacred Heart: After earning Northeastern Conference Player of the Week honors last week, shortstop Sam Mongelli had another strong weekend for the Pioneers against Wofford as he enters the new week leading Sacred Heart with a .529 batting average. He picked up another four hits over the weekend, including his first home run of the season as six of his 18 hits this year have gone for extra bases.
 
South Carolina: Hitting two homers to help South Carolina clinch a series victory over rival Clemson, first baseman Gavin Casas leads a South Carolina team that has homered 32 times in 2023 with seven home runs as Sunday's game was his second multi-homer game of the season. The Vanderbilt transfer enters the midweek with 12 hits on the season, seven being homers.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
After the team's two midweek games, Upstate remains at home on the weekend, welcoming James Madison to Cleveland S. Harley Park for a three-game set. The Spartans host the Dukes Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
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
 
Help Us Achieve Home Field Advantage at Fluor Field
USC Upstate is right back at Fluor Field next Wednesday, March 8 to host South Carolina at 6:30 p.m.! Help create a home-field advantage for the Spartans against the Gamecocks and make Fluor Upstate's home away from home. Tickets range from $9-14 and Fluor Field does have a clear bag policy. Buy Now: Click Here to purchase
 
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!