ROCK HILL, S.C. - USC Upstate softball started day one of the Winthrop Eagle Classic with one game against Binghamton and one game against Monmouth on Friday afternoon in Rock Hill.  

After going 2-2 during the home opener Spartan Classic, Upstate looked to gain some momentum in Rock Hill, starting with a game against Binghamton. The Spartans got a jump on the Bearcats with three runs in the first inning. Binghamton was able to tie the game 3-3 in the top of the seventh, sending it to extra innings. Upstate came up just short after a tagout at home plate was called safe to give the Bearcats a one-run lead in the top of the 10th. Sierra Maness threw her third complete game of the season after making her third start and throwing 10 strikeouts. Maness' 10 strikeouts earned the freshman her second double-digit strikeout performance of the season. Taliyah Thomas remained on a hot streak as her double sent Cassie Norris running home. Celeste Delorenzo had a strong performance as well as her single through the right side scored both Abigail Pippen and Alanna Deal.  

In game two of the day, the Spartans fell 4-0 to the Hawks of Monmouth University. The Spartans were able to hold the Hawks scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when Monmouth stacked four runs. Upstate then held the Hawks scoreless for the remainder of the game. Alyssa Kelly made her first start of the season and threw four strikeouts across 4.0 innings pitched. Maddie Drerup relieved Kelly in the fifth inning and finished the game with two strikeouts. Thomas continued her hot streak with two hits and one stolen base. Denver Lauer also tallied a hit in game two to try to pick up the Spartans offense. 

The Spartans are back in action Saturday morning in Rock Hill to continue the Winthrop Eagle Classic with a 10:00 a.m. first pitch against Le Moyne and a 12:30 p.m. start time against Mount St. Mary's. 

Saturday Schedule 

10:00 a.m. | vs. Le Moyne 

12:30 p.m. | vs. Mount St. Mary's 

*No live stats or live streams will be available for Saturday's contests* 

UP NEXT FOR THE SPARTANS    

Upstate will pause tournament play to host Wofford College for the first time ever on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. The Spartans will finish the week at home in Cyrill Stadium hosting Akron, Monmouth, and Kentucky Feb 23-25th.   

 
Homecoming 2024 Sparty Gras  

USC Upstate will celebrate Homecoming 2024 the week of February 12 through 17 with events planned all week long across the campus. The full list of Homecoming Week events may be found here as well as information about tickets and parking.   
    
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