CLINTON, S.C. - Opening the weekend with sunny skies and perfect softball weather, USC Upstate Softball opened Big South conference play on the road against Presbyterian College where the Spartans overcame for the win in game one and fell to the Blue Hose in game two.
Game One (7-2, Win)
Upstate looked to create the early advantage with Alanna Deal getting the first hit for the Spartans at the top of the second but a groundout left runners on base to keep the game scoreless. The action picked up in the fourth inning with Abby Polk knocking a double down the left field line to get on base. Georgia Preddy followed with a single through the right side advancing Polk to home plate and opening the scoring column. The parade of hits continued to go in Upstate's favor with Taliyah Thomas following with a single to left field helping the Spartans get two runners on. Denver Lauer rose to the occasion with an RBI single to right field giving the Spartans a 2-0 lead. Upstate continued seeing success with Abigail Pippen causing more trouble for the pitching staff of the Blue Hose with a two-RBI single. The fourth inning momentum continued to go in the positives with Carson Shaw's double to left field driving in two more runs increasing the lead to 6-0. With a pitching change, a wild pitch saw Shaw slide into home plate capping off a seven run inning. Presbyterian looked to match the intensity adding two runs in the bottom of the inning from a single to left center. Through the final two innings, the bats cooled off for the Blue Hose with Sierra Maness not allowing a hit in the circle and the defense finishing the game with zero errors.
Game Two (8-6, Loss)
Denver Lauer opened the top of the first inning with a single through the middle looking to continue the intensity in game two. Upstate opened the scoring column with Abby Polk taking the attention away from the Blue Hose defense for Kailey Canupp to easily slid into home plate and score the first run. Amie Johnson looked to sacrifice with moving a batter over but the combination of her perfectly placed bunt and speed helped her beat the throw at first. Georgia Preddy followed with a powerful single to left field driving in the second run to lead 2-0. Presbyterian responded in the bottom of the inning with a single through the left side and following with a two-run homer tying it at two. The Blue Hose carried their momentum to the fourth inning with getting two runners on from an infield error and a base hit. Presbyterian took the lead with a single just dropping before the foul ball line to score a runner at home and take the lead. Presbyterian followed with a two-RBI single up the middle to push their lead to 5-2. Upstate shifted the momentum opening the top of the fifth inning with Denver Lauer and Abigail Pippen leading off with back to back base hits getting two runners on with no outs. Sophia Kardatzke followed with a three-run homer to left field tying the game at 5-5 proving the moment was not too big. Carson Shaw and Amie Johnson followed with back-to-back hits resulting in the Spartans responding with regaining the lead at 6-5. Presbyterian responded in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot left center and a double left field scoring two runs to lead 7-6. Upstate looked to find more life to rally with Sophia Kardatzke adding her second hit but the Blue Hose escaped the inning not giving up any runs. Presbyterian added one last run offensively and ended game two with a double play defensively splitting the day.
Notable
Up Next for the Spartans
With the series tied at 1-1, the Spartans take on Presbyterian for a game three Saturday, March 15th with at 11:00 A.M. at the PC Softball Complex in Clinton, South Carolina.
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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