SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Opening a new era of Spartan baseball in a manner in which 23 straight seasons have opened—22 straight at Cleveland S. Harley Park—USC Upstate baseball opens its new campaign and the first season under the direction of head coach Kane Sweeney at home, hosting Boston College for a three-game weekend set. The 2025 Opening Weekend presented by Four Point Sheraton marks the 10^th time Upstate has hosted a Power-Four program on the first weekend of the season, doing so in a three or more-game series for the fourth time.
 
Opening Weekend presented by Four Point Sheraton
February 14-16, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (36-24; 16-8 Big South in 2024) vs. Boston College (22-31; 8-22 ACC in 2024)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App (Friday & Sunday Only)
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM | Also available via the Fox Sports Spartanburg or TuneIn App (Friday & Sunday Only)
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (36-24; 16-8 Big South in 2024); Boston College (22-31; 8-22 ACC in 2024)
Series: Series tied 1-1
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 26, 2022 (UPST 6; BC 2); Feb. 14, 2015 (BC 5; UPST 4)
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Boston College
Game One: RHP Cooper Ellingworth (5-4; 6.95 ERA in 2024) | RHP Eric Schroeder (5-1; 6.69 ERA in 2024)
Game Two: LHP Chris Torres (2-5; 5.36 ERA in 2024 at Eastern Connecticut State) | LHP A.J. Colarusso (3-8; 7.20 ERA in 2024)
Game Three: LHP Max Kaplan (Fr. – Glencoe, Ill.) | To Be Determined
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate
Pitcher: Taking the ball in the season opener, sophomore right-handed pitcher Cooper Ellingworth makes his fourth career start, on the bump to open a game in a weekend series for the second time in his career. Last season, he appeared in 23 games, posting a 5-4 record and 6.94 ERA, striking out 41 batters over 45.1 innings en route to Big South All-Freshman Team selection. Ellingworth enters the 2025 season as one of three Preseason All-Big South honorees on the Spartan roster.
 
Position Player: The 2024 Big South Freshman of the Year, sophomore infielder Vance Sheahan takes over the shortstop position boasting Preseason All-Conference honors for the Spartans. Over 55 games, he hit .330, standing as the team's leading returning hitter, picking up 661 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs, and 29 RBI. On the basepaths, Sheahan stole six bases in eight attempts.
 
Boston College
Pitcher: A fixture in the Eagles' starting rotation last season as one of two pitchers to start 14 games, left-handed pitcher A.J. Colarusso earns the start in game two. He tossed 65.0 innings last season, the second-most of any Eagle pitcher in 2024, posting a 7.20 ERA and 3-8 record while striking out 63 hitters.
 
Position Player: The lone Eagle with a batting average greater than .300, junior first baseman Kyle Wolff returns to lead the lineup following a season that saw him hit .315 over 53 games. He led the Eagles with 62 hits and 14 doubles, ranking second on the club with 44 RBI and 40 runs scored. Wolff also stands as one of the most patient returners for the Eagles, drawing 39 total free bases (17 walks and 22 HBP).
 
Up Next for the Spartans
For the third time in four seasons, USC Upstate opens its midweek slate against Western Carolina, travelling to Cullowhee, N.C. Tuesday afternoon. First pitch in the first of two early season meetings between the clubs is set for 4 p.m. ET.
 
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