SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate softball gears up to begin the Big South Softball Tournament starting with No. 4 seed Charleston Southern on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. The Spartans enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed for the second time in program history after earning its first outright Big South Regular Season Championship prior to the Winthrop series.
This Week's Matchup
May 9, 2024 | 8:00 p.m. (moved from 4:00 pm due to weather)
No. 1 seed USC Upstate (27-20; 13-5 Big South) vs. No. 4 seed Charleston Southern (23-25; 9-9 Big South)
Terry Field | Rock Hill, S.C.
How They Stack Up
Records: No. 1 seed USC Upstate (27-20; 13-5 Big South) vs. No. 4 seed Charleston Southern (23-25; 9-9 Big South)
Series: Upstate leads the overall series 32-6
Last Meetings: Mar. 24, 2024 (UPST 0; CSU 1); Mar. 24, 2024 (UPST 9; CSU 5); Mar. 25, 2024 (UPST 5; CSU 1); May 12, 2023 (UPST 4; CSU 2)*; Mar. 19, 2023 (UPST 9; CSU 0); Mar. 18, 2023 (UPST 4; CSU 0); Mar. 18, 2023 (UPST 3; CSU 2)
*Denotes Big South Tournament Game Meetings*
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Upstate most recently dropped its first Big South series of the season, which also happened to be the final Big South series of the season. Denver Lauer finishes the regular season leading the Spartan's stat lines with 36 runs, 49 hits, seven doubles, four homeruns, 28 RBI, 68 total bases, and 40 stolen bases along with a .329 batting average, .456 slugging percentage, and .413 on base percentage. Freshman pitcher Sierra Maness also finishes the season with a 2.38 ERA, 13 wins, 17 complete games, four shutouts, 147.0 innings pitched, and 119 strikeouts.
Charleston Southern: The Bucs most recently dropped the final game of the series against Winthrop following the Longwood series where they fell 2-1. Charleston Southern is led on offense by Madelyn Lee with 21 runs, 46 hits, nine doubles, 13 RBI, 55 total bases, and 12 stolen bases along with a .315 batting average, .377 slugging percentage, and .363 on base percentage. Nealy Lamb leads the Bucs pitching staff with a 1.58 ERA, 12 wins, 133.0 innings pitched, 30 earned runs surrendered, and 124 strikeouts.
Up Next for the Spartans
The winner of game one between No. 1 seed USC Upstate and No. 4 seed Charleston Southern will play the winner between No. 2 seed Longwood and No. 3 seed Winthrop on May 10 at 2:00 p.m. For more information about the tournament and full tournament schedule, click here.
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.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
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