SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate softball program earned its first Big South series victory as the Spartans achieved a 9-1 five-inning win over the Radford Highlanders on Sunday morning.  
  

Radford was quick to get things started in game three of the series as a Highlander single scored one run in the top of the first. The Spartans were quick to respond with two runs in the bottom of the first to take control of the game. Celeste Delorenzo kicked off Upstate's scoring in game three with a two-run homerun over center field that gave Taliyah Thomas her first run of the day. Thomas earned her second run of the day in the bottom of the third as she hit a leadoff homer over center field. After a quiet fourth inning, the Spartans opened the flood gates in the fifth inning, stacking six runs for an early finish.  

The six-run scoring spree started with Denver Lauer reaching home safely as the Highlander's pitcher was charged with a throwing error after trying to catch Delorenzo stealing second. Delorenzo was quick to join Lauer at home as Abby Polk sent a single to right field. Alanna Deal earned her second hit of the day with a single up the middle and reached second after the Highlander's catcher was charged with a throwing error that also allowed pinch runner Kailey Canupp, catcher Abigail Pipper, and second baseman Abby Polk all to score. Deal solidified the Spartans' walk-off win after showing exceptional speed to get home off pinch hitter Emily Stern's sacrificed bunt.  

Sierra Maness made her 14th start of the season and earned her sixth win of the season after throwing three strikeouts and 65 total pitches across 5.0 innings pitched. After her solid performance in game one of the series and her strong showing in game three, Maness becomes the first pitcher in the conference with two Big South wins.  

Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 9; Radford 1 
Records: Records: USC Upstate (11-13; 2-1 Big South); Radford (13-13; 1-2 Big South)   
Location: Cyrill Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C. 
  
How It Happened 

• T1: Radford scored first in game three of the series as a single up the middle from Smith advanced Wilson home from third (1-0). 

• B1: Celeste Delorenzo not only got the Spartans on the board but took the lead from the Highlanders as she slammed a homerun over center field to score Taliyah Thomas (2-2). 

• B3: Thomas extended the Spartans lead to two runs after she hit a leadoff homerun over center field (3-1). 

• B5: After being walked to first, Delorenzo not only successfully stole second, but gave Lauer enough time to make a break for home. Lauer was safe at the plate as the Highlander's pitcher was charged with an error (4-1).  

• B5: Delorenzo came home shortly after as Abby Polk sent a single to right field (5-1). 

• B5: Alanna Deal sent a single up the middle and advanced to second after Radford's catcher was charged with a throwing error which allowed Kailey Canupp, Abigail Pippen, and Abby Polk all to come home (8-1). 

• B5: Emily Stern pinch hit for Cassie Norris and laid down a sacrificed bunt that gave Deal enough time to safely reach home and finish the game for a 9-1 Upstate win. 

  
Notable 

• Taliyah Thomas hit her third homerun of the season in the bottom of the third; her homerun in game three was the second homerun she hit in the series against Radford.  

• Thomas had her fourth multi-hit game of the season (2) while Alanna Deal had her fifth multi-hit game of the season (2). 

• Celeste Delorenzo had her fourth multi-RBI game of the season (2) as Deal had her second (2). 

• Upstate has never dropped a three-game series to Radford since the team's first conference meetings in 2018. 

Up Next for the Spartans  
The Spartans will stay local to take on the Wofford Terriers Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. before heading to Charleston for a three-game series Mar. 22-23.   

  
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