SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the new week with a final test before Big South play, Upstate Softball took the field for an afternoon doubleheader against the University of South Dakota with the Spartans winning in a sweep over the Coyotes. 

Game One (5-4, Win) 

South Dakota opened the top of the first inning putting Upstate in a bind with their first two batters adding back-to-back singles. The Coyotes opened the scoring column with a sacrifice bunt advancing a runner home. The inning continued with a throwing error to first helping South Dakota take advantage to score two more runs to lead 3-0. The Coyotes finished the inning with an infield single to score their fourth run leading 4-0. Taliyah Thomas opened the bottom of the inning beating the throw to first for the first hit. The Coyotes were able to recover with a double play and a strikeout ending the first inning. Through the following four innings, South Dakota allowed just three hits while holding a 4-0 lead to go into the fifth inning. The bottom of the fifth inning showed life for the Spartans with Amie Johnson being walked to first and advancing to second from a passed ball. Denver Lauer's RBI single to center field was enough to advanced Johnson to home scoring their first run. The momentum began to shift to the Spartans with South Dakota doubling to center field but a throw from center field to home plate tagged the runner out saving a run. The bottom of the sixth proved to be the rally the Spartans needed with Abby Polk being walked to first and stealing second. Amie Johnson followed with an infield single and steal on second to have two runners in scoring position. Georgia Preddy proved the moment was not too big for her with a two-out double to center field scoring two runs to trail by one. With a runner on second, Taliyah Thomas doubled to the outfield helping Georgia Preddy score the tying run. Upstate found their way in the driver's seat with Denver Lauer adding a base hit up the middle to score Taliyah Thomas for the leading run. South Dakota looked to respond with adding a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt.  A groundout to Abby Polk and flyout to Taliyah Thomas successfully completed the comeback for Upstate Softball. In the circle, Sierra Maness moved to 10-3 striking out three batters while pitching a complete game. 

Game Two (7-3, Win) 

South Dakota opened the top of the first scoring their first two runs from a bunt and a runner advancing home from a wild pitch. Upstate came into the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single and followed with stealing second along with third. A RBI single to left field from Sophia Kardatzke helped Thomas advance home for the Upstate's first run trailing 2-1. South Dakota continued to put the pressure on Upstate extending their lead in the second inning with an infield single that advanced a runner home. Through the same play, the Coyotes looked to bring a runner in scoring position from a throw from Abigail Pippen to Alanna Deal helped tag a runner out at third base ending the inning trailing 3-1. The action picked up through the third inning with Taliyah Thomas leading off with an infield single, a stolen base, and a passed ball. A groundout at first took the attention away from Thomas scoring their second run. Upstate followed with Sophia Kardatzke doubling to right center to advance Kailey Canupp for the tying run and Alanna Deal's infield single put Upstate ahead with a 4-3 lead. In the circle, Sophia Kardatzke maintained composure by striking out batters and making life tough on South Dakota by allowing one hit through two innings. Upstate's lead grew with Denver Lauer adding a perfect placement on the bunt to reach first. A throwing error from the catcher helped the Spartans add their fifth run increasing their lead more. Abigail Pippen base hit went over past second base for a two-RBI single for the Spartans to move their lead to 7-3. Through the final two innings, Sophia Kardatzke allowed zero hits in the circle to shutout the Coyotes for the win.  

Up Next for the Spartans  
Upstate Softball will open Big South play Friday, March 14th at Presbyterian College with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 & 3:00 P.M. Both teams will return to the field on Saturday, March 15 with an 11:00 A.M. first pitch.

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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