CULLOWHEE, N.C. – USC Upstate softball was successful in their mid-week non-conference match against Western Carolina, as a back-and-forth game against the Catamounts finished 6-4 in favor of the Spartans.
The hosting Catamounts began the game with two runs in the first off a homerun over left center. Upstate remained composed and found a groove in the top of the third, scoring four runs to establish a two-run lead. Denver Lauer scored the first run of the day for USC Upstate after Celeste Delorenzo hit a single to left center. The hero of the inning was outfielder Taliyah Thomas, who sent Alanna Deal and Celeste Delorenzo running for home as her hit to the Catamount's shortstop was fumbled for an error. Thomas capped the inning with a final run scored as she made a dash home off a wild pitch to extend the Spartans' lead to two runs. Western Carolina responded with one run in the bottom of both the third and fourth before both teams would post no runs in the fifth and remain tied 4-4. Upstate pulled ahead in the top of the sixth thanks to a single to right field from Amie Johnson that would score not only Abby Polk but also pinch runner Lex Difato. The Spartans were able to hold the Catamounts to four runs to advance to a 19-15 overall record on the season.
Maddie Drerup made her 13th start of the season against Western Carolina and had two strikeouts in her 4.0 innings pitched. Sierra Maness made her 20th appearance of the season as she relieved Drerup in the fifth inning. Maness had three strikeouts in her 3.0 innings pitched and surrendered no runs.
Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 6; Western Carolina 4
Records: USC Upstate (19-15; 7-2 Big South) vs. Western Carolina (12-21; 3-6 SoCon)
Location: Catamount Softball Complex | Cullowhee, N.C.
How It Happened
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B1: The Catamounts got on the board first as a homerun from Baldwin put two runs on the board (2-0).
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T3: Celeste Delorenzo was able to kick star the Spartans offense as her single to left center advanced Alanna Deal to third and Denver Lauer to home (2-1).
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T3: Taliyah Thomas helped get the leading run in as she dinged one to the Catamount's shortstop. An error was charged to WCU's shortstop, allowing Thomas to safely reach second while both Deal and Delorenzo crossed home plate (3-2).
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T3: Thomas reached home shortly after to give Upstate a two-run lead thanks to a Catamount wild pitch.
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B3: Baldwin brought the game within one run with a sacrificed fly to right field to advance Bell home from third (4-3).
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B4: The Catamounts tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run over center from McPherson (4-4).
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T6: With two runners on, Amie Johnson hit a single to right field, sending pinch runner Difato and Polk home for the lead (6-4).
Notable
Up Next for the Spartans
The Spartans will finish their week in Clinton for a Big South series against Presbyterian with one game scheduled for Friday at 6:00 p.m. and a double-header Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m.
Tickets on Sale for Sparty's Ball – Saturday, May 18
Support USC Upstate Athletics at Sparty's Ball, the largest fundraiser of the year for the Upstate Athletic Fund. The UAF impacts current and future generations of Spartans, developing champions on the field, building scholars in the classroom, and preparing leaders for life. Presented by the Sports Medicine Institute, a division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Sparty's Ball features live and silent auction items, delicious food from Cribbs Catering, beverages, and live entertainment from Under the Sun, and held at a new location, Indigo Hall in downtown Spartanburg. Come dressed in your Spartan best—cocktail attire is required. For details and tickets, log onto www.upstatespartans.com/spartysball.
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