SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Rounding out their final game of the Upstate Classic on Hawkins Field at the Cyrill Stadium, the Spartans took the field for an afternoon matchup against North Carolina A&T. The Spartans finished the Upstate Classic going undefeated through five games and winning over the Aggies in a run rule making it their third run rule finish of the Classic. 

In the circle, Sierra Maness started with striking out a batter and the following two outs being a pop-up and groundout making the top of the first inning a quick one. At bat, Taliyah Thomas led off with an infield single and followed with a stolen base to get herself into a scoring position. An error by the shortstop with the next at bat helped Denver Lauer get on base while Thomas cruised her way home for the first run. Lauer took advantage of the opportunity by stealing second and advancing to third for a passed to create another scoring opportunity. Sophia Kardatzke saw the green light on a 2-0 count knocking a two-run homer to right center moving the Spartan lead to 3-0. The action continued with the Spartans defensively holding the Aggies to zero hits with a quick second inning setting the stage for another opportunity to increase their momentum at bat. Abby Polk opened the bottom of the second inning with a triple down the right field line with no chance of NC A&T to throw her out. Amie Johnson's groundout to second base took the attention away from Polk making her way to home plate for their fourth run. The hitting of the Spartans continued with Georgia Preddy singling to right center and following with a stolen base. Taliyah Thomas secured her second hit with RBI double to right center causing NC A&T to  make an adjustment in the circle. Another groundout with a runner on base stretched the lead to 6-0. With two outs and no runners on base, Abigail Pippen entered the fray with Upstate's second homerun of the day with her solo shot flying to left center. NC A&T entered the third inning taking advantage of a hit by pitch and a runner advancing home from a wild pitch securing their first run. The Spartans added two hits in the bottom of the inning with Alanna Deal adding a single to right center and Abby Polk finishing with a single to right center with Deal scoring their eighth run. Sierra Maness continued to ice the batters for NC A&T striking out two batters in the top of the fourth and one batter in the top of the fifth. With a chance to end the game in the bottom of the fifth, Abby Polk started with an infield single and a stolen base on second. Amie Johnson's sacrifice bunt moved Polk closer to the finish line with just one out on the board. An error by the second baseman helped Riley Vogel get on base with Abby Polk advancing home for the final run to win in a run rule. 

Notable 

• USC Upstate moves their season record to 13-1 and their winning streak to 10. Through the last two weekends of hosting classics, the Spartans have won six out of nine games in run rules.  

• Through the Upstate Classic, the Spartans finished with 55 hits, 48 runs, 44 RBIs, and 31 strikeouts. 

• Since February 8th, the Spartans have won each game scoring 5+ runs or more while shutting out two opponents. 

Up Next for the Spartans      

Following the Upstate Classic, the Spartans will travel to Greenville, South Carolina for an in-state midweek doubleheader at Furman University on Wednesday, February 26th with Game one scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. first pitch and Game two to follow at 6:00 p.m.    

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