SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Following a victorious midweek sweep at Furman University, the Spartans look to move forward and continue their consistent play with another road trip to Rock Hill, South Carolina where the Spartans are slated for a four-game weekend with the Coach Cooke Memorial Tournament hosted by Winthrop.
This Weekend's Matchups
Feb. 28| Charlotte| 10:00 A.M.
Feb. 28| St. Bonaventure| 12:30 P.M.
Mar. 1| Southern Indiana| 10:00 A.M.
Mar. 1| Youngstown State| 3:00 P.M.
Overview
Amid a 12-game winning streak, Upstate Softball sits #2 in the nation with a .399 batting average with seven players hitting over .400 (Taliyah Thomas, Sophia Kardatzke, Abigail Pippen, Abby Polk, Carson Shaw, Denver Lauer, Amie Johnson). The Spartans will come into the Coach Cooke Memorial Tournament with a big target on them to be neutralized and slowed down at bat. During their 12-game winning streak, Upstate Softball has only one game where the Spartans scored under six runs showing the firepower that Head Coach Chris Hawkins has had full confidence of since fall ball. In the circle, the Spartans have consistently caused trouble to their opponents by making sure that each run that is scored is worthy. Upstate Softball opens day one with an early slate against Charlotte and will wrap up the day against St. Bonaventure. Day Two will conclude the tournament with a morning clash against Southern Indiana and an afternoon battle against Youngstown State.
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Sophomore pitcher, Sierra Maness currently leads the Big South with a 1.91 ERA while pitching three complete games, adding a 6-0 record, two saves through 36.2 innings pitched. The Reigning Big South Pitcher of the Week has begun to see the game slow down for her much more in her second season with Upstate which was displayed with a complete game of pitching in the win at Furman. Maness struck out seven batters while only walking one. Already at 6-0, Sierra Maness looks to take it one pitch at a time and continue finding her spots to give the Spartans a continued chance at winning.
Charlotte: Sophomore infielder, Teagan Ritchie has opened the 2025 season with an impactful outing at bat for the 49ers. Ritchie currently is second on the team with a .362 batting average and leads with five home runs. Ritchie also adds 17 hits, 12 RBIs, six doubles, and a team leading .809 slugging percentage. Ritchie looks to continue her play at the Coach Cooke Memorial Tournament with four opportunities for Charlotte to overcome many challenges that will come their way.
St. Bonaventure: Sophomore Utility Player, Kymora Wang has gotten off to a great start to the season with a .429 batting average, six hits, three runs, five RBIs, one home run, and one walk. Wang will look to contribute to Bonnies with her early start to the season with taking the challenge of four tough teams at the Coach Cooke Memorial Tournament in Rock Hill.
Southern Indiana: Junior Outfielder, Caroline Stapleton leads the Screaming Eagles with a .357 batting average, 10 hits, one double, and a .393 slugging percentage. The Screaming Eagles look to enter Rock Hill, South Carolina with a new mindset of not being taken lightly with the competition at stake as Southern Indiana went winless during the UAB Green and Gold Classic in Birmingham, Alabama. Stapleton plans to challenge each pitcher through the four contests while helping lead her team to victory.
Youngstown State: Redshirt Junior, Bree Kohler has returned to the team after sitting out the 2024 season due to injury with 12 hits, three doubles, five RBIs, and a .353 batting average. Kohler will see early action when the Penguins take the field Friday morning against St. Bonaventure. Kohler will have the opportunity to help lead Youngstown State to their first win of the season while improving their team chemistry and team numbers through the weekend.
(!) 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 midweek clash, the Spartans travel to Rock Hill for a two-day Coach Cooke Tournament at Winthrop. The Spartans will take the field at 10:00 A.M. and 12:30 P.M on Friday, February 28th. Upstate will conclude with two more matchups at 10:00 A.M. & 3:00 P.M.
SAVE THE DATE FOR SPARTY'S BALL – MAY 17th – Support USC Upstate Athletics at Sparty's Ball, the largest fundraising event of the year for the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF), to be held Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Milliken Club at Fifth Third Park. For tickets, sponsorship and auction information, click here!
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