Alanna Deal home run celebration
Natalia Moll
7
Akron AKRONSB 1-1
10
Winner USC Upstate UPST 1-0
Akron AKRONSB
1-1
7
Final
10
USC Upstate UPST
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Akron AKRONSB 2 0 0 0 5 0 0 7 8 0
USC Upstate UPST 1 1 2 2 3 1 X 10 12 1

W: Drerup, Maddie (1-0) L: Haley Croyle (0-1)

4
Bowling Green BGSU 0-1
6
Winner USC Upstate UPST 2-0
Bowling Green BGSU
0-1
4
Final
6
USC Upstate UPST
2-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Bowling Green BGSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 8 0
USC Upstate UPST 0 1 4 0 1 0 X 6 8 0

W: Kardatzke, Sophia (1-0) L: BECKHAM, Morgan (0-1) S: Maness, Sierra (1)

Game Recap: Softball |

Upstate Softball sweeps Day One of the Spartan Classic against Akron and Bowling Green

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the highly anticipated 2025 campaign, USC Upstate Softball took the field Friday afternoon for Day One of the Spartan Classic presented by Founders Federal Credit Union to open their season against the University of Akron and Bowling Green State University. 

Upstate began the season with an electric matchup against Akron with a 10-7 win over the Zips. Carson Shaw woke up Cyrill Stadium with the first home run of the season to left center which turned the game back and forth. In the bottom of the third, Taliyah Thomas reached on base for a fielder's choice which set the stage for Denver Lauer's two-run homer. The home run derby from USC Upstate continued to light a fire in the Spartans with Abigail Pippen sending the ball over to left center for a 5-2 lead.  After trailing 7-6 from two home runs in the top of the fifth inning, Upstate Softball returned the favor with their disciplined play at bat with consecutive scoring plays to put them in the driver seat in the bottom of the inning. A walk from Denver Lauer and her stealing second helped set up Alanna Deal's two-run homer to left center to regain the lead. The Spartans continued to rally as Freshman Sophia Kardatzke followed with a double to left center to make the Zips adjust. A throw to home plate from Akron over the catcher's head to score Kardatzke and extend the Spartan lead to two. In the sixth inning, Amie Johnson and Taliyah Thomas' infield singles past the shortstop helped set up the RBI Single from Denver Lauer to seal the game over Akron for the opening win. In the circle, Sophomore Pitcher Sierra Maness set the tone with four innings pitched with four strikeouts. Junior Pitcher, Maddie Drerup finished the final three innings with two strikeouts earning the win.  

Upstate brought their momentum to the second game against Bowling Green with Carson Shaw entering the second inning with a double down the left field line sending Abby Polk home for the first run. Freshman Pitcher, Sophia Kardatzke fully began to introduce herself in the circle by striking out two batters in the top of the third and following with a RBI double to score two runners extending the lead to 3-0. Abigail Pippen followed with a two-run homer to continue the hot start on day one. Defensively, the Spartans kept the Falcons cold at bat with Sophia Kardatzke retiring all three batters faced in the top of the fifth. Kardatzke opened the bottom of the inning with another infield single to get the Spartans in scoring position. Sasa Groome's debut at USC Upstate started with scoring the sixth run with stealing at home plate. The action picked up in the top of the seventh with Bowling Green adding four runs with a home run, RBI Single, and a runner scoring from a wild pitch. As the Falcons looked to complete the comeback, the Spartans collected the final out to halt Bowling Green and sweep day one of the Spartan Classic. 

Notable 

  • Junior Outfielder, Amie Johnson tied her career high with three hits against the University of Akron where she was 3-for-3 at the plate. 

  • Junior Infielder, Carson Shaw secured the first Spartan home run for the USC Upstate in the 2025 season. 

  • Freshman Pitcher, Sophia Kardatzke was on a mission in her collegiate debut against Bowling Green where she pitched in six innings, added 10 strikeouts, and earned her first win in the circle. 

Saturday Schedule 

10:00 a.m. | Akron vs. Monmouth 

12:30 p.m. | Bowling Green vs. Monmouth 

3:00 p.m. | Bowling Green vs. USC Upstate 

5:30 p.m. | Akron vs. USC Upstate 

Up Next for the Spartans  

Following the Upstate Classic, the Spartans continue their home cooking on the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium where USC Upstate hosts the Wings. ETC Classic February 14-16. Game times for the Spartans are scheduled for 1:30 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. on Friday, 1:30 & 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, and 12:30 P.M. on Sunday.  

Ingles I-26 Rivalry Food Drive: Support Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg by donating to the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Food Drive through Wednesday, February 12.  All donations stay local and donors may scan the QR code on donation bins for a free ticket to an upcoming Upstate basketball game.  For donation locations and more information, click here.     

Connect with the Spartans     
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics     
Twitter | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans     
Instagram | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans     
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans    

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