SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Returning to midweek action for the first time in two weeks, USC Upstate baseball begins the final month of the regular season as the calendar rolls to May by closing its season series with Western Carolina, heading to Cullowhee, N.C. Wednesday for a meeting. The Spartans look to sweep the season series with the Catamounts after taking the Feb. 21 meeting between the two clubs with a 16-9 victory at Cleveland S. Harley Park.
 
Wednesday's Game
May 1, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (28-16; 13-5 Big South) vs. Western Carolina (23-18; 8-7 SoCon)
Childress Field at Hennon Stadium | Cullowhee, N.C.
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (28-16; 13-5 Big South); Western Carolina (23-18; 8-7 SoCon)
Series: Series tied 3-3
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 21, 2024 (UPST 16; WCU 9); April 18, 2023 (WCU 13; UPST 1); April 4, 2023 (UPST 9; WCU 8 [13 inn.]); May 4, 2022 (WCU 15; UPST 6); Feb. 23, 2022 (UPS 9; WCU 3)
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Western Carolina
To Be Announced | To Be Announced
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Becoming the first Spartan in five seasons—last done during the 2019 season—to earn Big South Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks, redshirt junior rightfielder Koby Kropf earned his second career honor as he homered in all three games last weekend while driving home six. The conference's leader in home runs (16) and RBI (58), Kropf has homered six times in his past seven games, driving home 17 runs during the stretch. He enters Tuesday's game sporting a .364 batting average with 29 of his 59 hits this season going for extra bases.
 
Western Carolina: Hitting 17 home runs in 2024, senior outfielder Nate Stocum ranks second in the SoCon with his long ball total this season as he also leads the Catamounts in total runs (45) and RBI (47). He enters the midweek carrying a 16-game hitting streak, the longest by a Western Carolina hitter this season, dating back to the beginning of April as he's recorded 26 of his team-high 53 hits during the streak. He ranks second among Catamount hitters with a .325 average this season.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Following a four-game road swing, Upstate returns home for a three-game Big South series versus High Point. The Spartans host the Panthers Friday at 5 p.m. ET, Saturday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. with Sunday's game also featuring Senior Day celebrations pregame.
 
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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