MID-WEEK MATCHUPSÂ
April 11, 2023 | 5:00 P.M.Â
USC Upstate (28-12, 4-7 Big South) vs. NC State (14-26, 5-10 ACC)Â
Dail Softball Stadium | Raleigh, N.C.Â
April 12, 2023, | 6:00 P.M.Â
USC Upstate (28-12, 4-7 Big South) vs. Winthrop (25-14, 7-4 Big South)Â
Cyrill Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.Â
Live Stats: USC Upstate vs NC State Â
                   USC Upstate vs WinthropÂ
Watch:Â ESPN+ | vs. NC State | vs. WinthropÂ
Overview:Â
USC Upstate softball goes into the week with a 28-12 overall record as well as a 4-7 conference record after splitting the double-header with North Carolina A&T (2-3, 3-1) on Tuesday and then finishing the week dropping a pair of games to Big South opponent Winthrop on Thursday (1-2, 0-2). Against N.C. State, the Spartans have emerged victorious in three of their eight games with the Wolfpack, but N.C. State took the most recent matchup in Raleigh by a score of 2-1 in 2018. Prior to that, the Spartans swept the Wolfpack in 2017 by scores of 9-0 and 9-1. All of Upstate's wins in the series history have come while serving as hosts to the Wolfpack; on the flip side the Spartans trail the road record in the series 4-0.Â
Against the Eagles, the Spartans lead the overall series 10-8 despite the recent results. Prior to some poor weather, the teams were able to play two of the scheduled three games in the series which resulted in losses for the Spartans. Tiffany Domingue scored the lone run for the Spartans in game one. Game one also brought Alyssa Kelly a season high in pitches (120) and strikeouts (10). Upstate will look to build some momentum off of the Tuesday game to bring into Wednesday's final game of the series against Winthrop.Â
Players to Watch:Â
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USC Upstate: Â
Denver Lauer has continued to be an offensive threat for the Spartans with 28 runs, 41 hits, 27 RBI, 61 total bases and an astounding 27 stolen bases. With her 27 successfully stolen bases, Lauer is ranked eighth in the nation. Tiffany Domingue assists Lauer in offensive efforts this season with 30 runs, 41 hits, 10 doubles, nine homeruns, 31 RBI, and 78 total bases, as does Casey Goguts with the 23 runs, 42 hits, seven homeruns, 21 RBI and 74 total bases this season.Â
Five Spartans are above the .300 mark for batting (Casey Goguts - .389; Denver Lauer - .342; Tiffany Domingue - .328; Summer Johnson - .321; Peyton Darnell - .319).
The Spartans sit second in the conference with a .298 batting average, just behind Campbell's .299. They still maintain healthy advantages in stolen bases/attempted steals (105/125) as well as earned run average (1.71). No other team is within 20 steals or .60 of either of those marks. Â
Nationally, the Spartans remain in the top 10, sitting at seventh with 2.62 steals per game. In addition, Upstate is tenth in the nation in ERA (1.71). The team sits tied at 37th for Win/Loss percentage, tied for 43rd in triples per game (.28), and right at 50th in slugging percentage (.464). The Spartans sit just outside the top fifty with a 51st place ranking in batting average (.298).
NC State: Â
The Wolfpack are coming off a series loss to Syracuse, with losses in games one and three by scores of 2-4 and an 8-0 run ruling. NC State did take game two by a score of 3-2 in impressive fashion as Hannah Goodwin, Gracie Roberts and Rebecca Murray all had solo homeruns to give the Wolfpack the edge. NC State is currently riding a five-game home winning streak, with their last loss in Raleigh coming at the hands of Notre Dame.Â
Winthrop: Â
The Eagles found success against the Spartans last week, thanks to strong pitching performances in both games by Reese Basinger and Sydney Boulware. Both pitches have earned double-digit wins on the year. KaDedra Temple is currently riding a six-game hitting streak and has reached a base in 14 straight outings. Â
Big South StandingsÂ
Campbell (9-2, 27-10)Â
Longwood (4-1, 17-13)Â
Winthrop (7-4, 25-14)Â
Gardner-Webb (3-2, 14-23)Â
Charleston Southern (4-6, 15-20)Â
USC Upstate (4-7, 28-12)Â
Presbyterian (2-6, 21-14)Â
Radford (2-7, 11-22)Â
UP NEXT FOR THE SPARTANSÂ
Upstate will be on the road for the next several weeks starting with a trip to Virginia to take on the Radford Highlanders this Friday and Saturday.Â
Connect with the Spartans    Â
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics    Â
Twitter | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans    Â
Instagram | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans    Â
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans   Â
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