SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium, USC Upstate hosted the Wings Etc. Classic welcoming Canisius College and IU Indy for day one. The Spartans continued their momentum from the previous weekend by winning both matchups in run rule fashion combining for a total of 24 hits and 31 runs in one day.
Upstate Softball opened the matchup with IU Indy with Taliyah Thomas leading off to set the tone with a triple to right center. Denver Lauer's sacrifice fly to right field was enough send Thomas to home plate opening the scoring column in the first inning. Carson Shaw added more pressure to the Lady Jaguars in the inning sending the ball over wall to left center for a two-run homer. IU Indy showed some life with a quick response in the top of the second inning with a two-run homer to center field. On defense, the Spartans were able to adjust to the quick start in the second inning with Maddie Drerup ending the inning with a quick ground out. The Spartans tallied three runs in the bottom of the inning with Abby Polk showcasing her speed from an error by second base, a steal at second, and finishing with an advance to home plate from a throwing error. Taliyah Thomas' single past the pitcher helped put the attention on her while Amie Johnson cruised her way home bringing the score 6-2. In the third inning, Sierra Maness entered the circle making quick work through four batters by striking out three batters while only giving up one hit. Speed was the name of the game through the third inning for USC Upstate as Kailey Canupp and Alanna Deal added two runs with an advance to home and Deal stealing at the plate. The vision of USC Upstate carried the Spartans through the bottom of the fourth inning by hanging five runs through three hits and three errors on the defense extending the rout to 13-2. IU Indy looked to make their way back into the game, but a runner being putout at second base, a popup to Abby Polk, and Sierra Maness finishing with a groundout ended the game in a run rule.
USC Upstate continued the party at the Hawkins Field opening the bottom of the first inning with Abigail Pippen securing the first hit down the right field line. The Spartans took the advantage of the placement in the outfield with their next three at bats being three consecutive doubles to left center while adding three runs in the process. In the circle, Sophia Kardatzke retired two batters on strikeouts and Alanna Deal finished the inning with a groundout. The bottom of the second inning opened with Amie Johnson adding an infield single up the middle followed by a single to center field from Taliyah Thomas. As the Spatans found their rhythm, Denver Lauer's single up the middle advanced Johnson home bringing the score to 4-0. The work was far from over for Upstate as Abigail Pippen added her third home run of the season with a bomb to right center scoring Lauer, Thomas, and Pippen for the three-run homer. The lineup continued to connect each time they were at bat which was displayed with Amie Johnson adding a RBI single past second base to send Emily Stern home for their eighth run of the game. Canisius wiped away the potential shutout scoring two runs in the top of the third inning from a fielding error and a wild pitch. The domination intensified in the bottom of the inning with Denver Lauer opening with a two-run homer for her second of the season. The scoring continued with Carson Shaw and Alanna Deal adding infield hits scoring Kailey Canupp and Sophia Kardatzke at home. Already leading 12-2, the Spartans tacked on five more runs to end the inning with nine runs off six hits. Canisius looked to find their way back adding a single to left field scoring one run off three hits in the top of the fourth. Amie Johnson's hot streak at bat continued with her third hit of the game helping bring in their 18th run of the matchup. The Spartans were able to finish the game 18-3 through five innings moving to 6-1 on the season.
Notable
Saturday's Schedule
(!) 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.
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.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
