GREENVILLE, S.C. – Stepping away from the friendly confines of Cleveland S. Harley Park, making a small detour in the team's 11-game homestand by hosting No. 4 Clemson at Fluor Field at the West End—the home of the Greenville Drive—the Spartans fell on the wrong side of the decision Tuesday evening, falling 7-0 to the Tigers in the first of four straight games against ranked opponents.
Despite surrendering seven runs, Upstate's pitching staff proved the standout of the day as in a bullpen game—no pitcher throwing more than 2.0 innings—six of the Spartans' eight pitchers turned in a scoreless outing.
Redshirt sophomore right-hander
Amp Phillips and sophomore righty
Darin Kuskie combined to carry a no-hitter into the fourth inning, each facing the minimum in 2.0 innings of work apiece. The pair combined to strike out five (two from Phillips and three from Kuskie) while allowing just one baserunner, a runner quickly caught stealing, the first time a Tiger had been gunned down on the basepaths this season.
Joining Phillips and Kuskie, freshman right-hander
Cayden Mackey, junior left-handed pitcher
Alex Sanderson, senior righty
Kyle Beaty, and junior right-hander
Reece Hemmerling all notched scoreless outings.
At the plate, redshirt sophomore centerfielder
Scott Newman led the Spartans with three hits, tying his career-high as he reached base four times in a 3-for-4 evening. Securing Upstate's other multi-hit game, redshirt junior third baseman
Jake Armsey recorded a pair of hits.
Game Information
Score: No. 4 Clemson 7; USC Upstate 0
Records: USC Upstate (6-5; 0-0 Big South); Clemson (11-1; 0-0 ACC)
Location: Fluor Field at the West End | Greenville, S.C.
How It Happened
- T5: Stringing together its first three hits of the ballgame, Clemson began the day's scoring with its first home run, a three-run shot from Jacob Jarrell to dead-center.
- T9: Adding insurance to their advantage, the Tigers added three additional homers in the ninth, solo home runs from Josh Paino and Tristan Bissetta, and a two-run blast from Andrew Ciufo.
Notable
- Throwing out a pair of would-be base stealers Tuesday, Preston Lucas became the first opposing catcher to throw out a Clemson baserunner during the 2025 season, ending an 18 straight attempt success rate by the Tigers.
- Being shut out by the Tigers, Tuesday's contest marked the first time the Spartans have been shut out during the 2025 season, the first time since May 25, 2024, versus High Point.
Up Next for the Spartans
Continuing its streak of game versus ranked opponents, USC Upstate returns to Cleveland S. Harley Park, closing out a stretch of 10 of 11 games played at its home park. The Spartans host No. 19 Troy for a three-game set beginning Friday.
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