SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the new week, USC Upstate looked to finish the Wings Etc. Classic on a high note with their third consecutive matchup against Canisius. The Spartans iced the Golden Griffins from their hot start with a 8-4 win to move their winning streak to five.  

The Golden Griffins opened the top of the second inning with two batters being walked to put themselves into scoring position. An RBI single to left field scored the first run for Canisius and the Golden Griffins followed with an infield double scoring two more runs to end the inning with a 3-0 lead. USC Upstate remained composed which displayed with Sophia Kardatzke knocking out her second career home run to left field to get the Spartans on the scoreboard. From that play, the momentum shifted with the Spartans warming up at bat with Alanna Deal adding a double to right center and Abby Polk following with an infield single. Amie Johnson's double up the middle was enough to see the speed of Polk and Deal sprint home for two runs tying the game at three. Taliyah Thomas' RBI single past the shortstop sent Johnson home to give the Spartans their first lead at the end of the inning. The fire created at bat continued to spark Upstate with Sophia Kardatzke's second hit of the day being a double in the third inning. Carson Shaw followed with an RBI single extending the lead to 5-3. Abby Polk and Alanna Deal added their second hit with back to back infield singles to load the bases. Amie Johnson continued to cause trouble for Canisius with a hit to center field which showcasing the speed of Kailey Canupp to home plate for another run to lead 6-3. Abigail Pippen entered the fray with a house call of her own sending a two-run homer to left field putting Canisius in adjustment mode. In the circle, Maddie Drerup made it tough for batters to get their stride going by retiring batters with a strikeout and the defense ending the play with two flyouts. Entering the top of the seventh, the Golden Griffins looked for one last comeback attempt opening with back to back infield singles and a stolen base. Canisius added a run from a double to left center cutting into the lead of USC Upstate. As the Golden Griffins looked to continue finding life, the following two batters were retired with a strikeout and a groundout. 

Notable 

• In the Wings Etc. Classic, USC Upstate tallied 50 runs off 49 hits while adding eight home runs and 48 RBIs. 

• The Spartans went undefeated throughout the Wings Etc. Classic moving their season record to 8-1 and their winning streak to five. 

• The Spartans had five players with multiple hits (Taliyah Thomas, Sophia Kardatzke, Alanna Deal, Abby Polk, and Amie Johnson). Johnson's 3-for-3 day tied her career high for hits with her last outing of three being against the University of Akron on February 7, 2025. 

• In the circle, Maddie Drerup moved to 4-0 with two wins over the weekend. Overall as a pitching staff between Maddie Drerup, Sophia Kardatzke, and Sierra Maness the Spartans struck out 22 batters through four games. 

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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