SPARTANBURG, S.C. -  After missing out on Saturday action due to inclement weather, Upstate Softball returned to the field for Day Two of the Wings Etc. Classic with a mindset of consistency. The Spartans took the field for their third game in the classic against Canisius winning their fourth overall game in run rule fashion on the season. 

Canisius opened the top of the first inning with on a mission to put the Spartans in a bind opening with a walk and two hits. With two runners on base, the Golden Griffins added a two-RBI single opening the scoring column. The Spartans entered the bottom of the inning unphased which displayed with Taliyah Thomas getting on base with a walk followed by Denver Lauer adding a single up the middle. With Abigail Pippen at bat with a full count, she sent two runners home with a double to left center to tie the game at two. USC Upstate wiped Canisius' lead away with Sophia Kardatzke knocking an infield single to left field scoring Abigail Pippen for their third run. USC Upstate tacked another run with Abby Polk's double down the left field line to showcase the speed of Sophia Kardatzke to get to home plate. The Spartans moved their lead to four with Georgia Preddy knocking an infield past second base to score two runners ending the inning with a 6-2 lead. Junior Pitcher, Maddie Drerup entered the circle in the second inning retiring a batter with a strikeout and the defense retiring batters on a lineout at third along with a flyout in the right field. Sophia Kardatzke entered the bottom of the inning with a first sending a ball over the wall in left center for her first collegiate home run. The offensive lineup continued to fire away as Carson Shaw fired away next at bat for a home run in center field ending the inning with two runs on two hits. Canisius looked to keep the game alive by adding a home run to center field scoring their only run of the inning. Entering the bottom of the fourth, Taliyah Thomas put the Spartans in a scoring situation doubling to left field. Denver Lauer followed with a two-run homer to left center extending the lead to 10-3. USC Upstate halted the Golden Griffins at bat only allowing one hit with no runs for the rest of the game. At bat, Abby Polk entered the bottom of the fifth inning swinging at first pitch for a single up the middle. Polk put the Spartans in a better position to score with a steal at second. To finish on a high note, Amie Johnson singled to right field scoring their 11th run to finish the game in a run rule. 

Notable 

• USC Upstate has hit 10+ hits in two of the three games in the Wings Etc. Classic while also winning each game in a run rule. 

• In the matchup against Canisius, the Spartans added three home runs with Carson Shaw adding her third on the year, Denver Lauer knocking out her third on the year, and Sophia Kardatzke securing her first home run of her collegiate career. 

• The Spartans featured three players with a multi-hit game against Canisius. (Abby Polk, Sophia Kardatzke, and Denver Lauer).  

Up Next 

The Spartans wrap up the Wings Etc. Classic with their final game against Canisius Monday, February 17th on Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium at 2:30 P.M.  

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