SPARTANBURG, S.C. - After an explosive opening weekend, the Spartans returns to the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium for the Wings Etc. Classic presented by Founders Federal Credit Union beginning on Friday, February 14 through Sunday, February 16th. 

This Weekend's Matchups   

Feb. 14| IU Indy| 1:30 P.M. 

Feb. 14| Canisius| 4:00 P.M. 

Feb. 15| Canisius| 1:30 P.M.
Feb. 15| IU Indy| 4:00 P.M. 

Feb. 16| IU Indy | 12:30 P.M. 

Overview  

USC Upstate hosts their second consecutive classic with IU Indy and Canisius joining the classic. IU Indy opened their 2025 season at UCLA Invitational going 1-3 overall with their lone win being against CSUN with a final score of 5-3. Canisius opens their season with a morning matchup against IU Indy. The Spartans look to use their momentum from the Spartan Classic to overcome matchups against the hungry teams of IU Indy and Canisius.  

Players to Watch 

USC Upstate: Upstate Softball makes their return with Abigail Pippen leading the charge with a .545 batting average, two home runs, six RBIs, one stolen base, and a double. Pippen added two multi-hit games at the Spartan Classic against Bowling Green and Monmouth. Pippen's two home runs were key hits that helped the Spartans surpass the Zips and Falcons on Day One. The Redshirt Junior from Plainview, Louisiana looks to continue to use her experience to help the Spartans improve each week while being a spark plug that can get going at bat at any given time. 

IU Indy: Junior Utility player, Tori Chandler led the lady Jaguars with a .400 batting average through two starts with two hits and one walk. Chandler's game high came against Cal State Fullerton going 2-for-2 at bat in a 5-3 winning effort. Going into the Wings Etc. Classic, Chandler will be a player to watch as she continues to help improve the offense for IU Indy going into the three-day weekend. 

Canisius: Senior Infielder, Emily Ilano comes into the 2025 season as one of the top returners for Canisius where she started in all 42 games played with a .294 batting average on 35 hits during the 2024 season. Ilano recorded four home runs and 17 RBIs while also leading the team with 11 doubles. Ilano also was named the MAAC Softball Player of the Week on March 26, 2024. Emily Ilano's Junior season in 2024 was her best statistical season and will look to open her senior season with high hopes for Canisius as a player that can instill her high energy throughout the weekend.  

Full Tournament Schedule   

(!) February 14| IU Indy vs. Canisius | 11:00 A.M. (Neutral Site) 

(!) February 14| IU Indy vs. USC Upstate | 1:30 P.M.  

(!) February 14| Canisius vs. USC Upstate | 4:00 P.M. 

(!) February 15| Canisius vs. IU Indy | 11:00 A.M. (Neutral Site) 

(!) February 15| Canisius vs. USC Upstate| 1:30 P.M. 

(!) February 15| IU Indy vs. USC Upstate | 4:00 P.M. 

(!) February 16| Canisius vs. IU Indy| 10:00 A.M. (Neutral Site) 

(!) February 16| IU Indy vs. USC Upstate | 12:30 P.M.  

(!) Live stats Only      

LiveStats will be available for all games and a recap following the day's action can be found at upstatespartans.com.       

Up Next for the Spartans 

Following the Wings Etc. Classic, the Spartans will continue their home cooking with hosting the Sparkle City Invite beginning on Friday, February 21 and wrapping up on Sunday, February 23. The teams featured in the Classic will consist of USC Upstate, Eastern Kentucky, South Carolina State, North Carolina A&T, and Colgate. Upstate Softball game times are scheduled for 1:30 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. on Friday, 1:30 P.M., 1:30 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, and 11:00 A.M. on Sunday. 

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