SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to the field on the road for their second consecutive weekend, Upstate Softball travels to Deland, Florida to participate in the John B. Stetson Invite where the Spartans are slated to take on Bryant University and Stetson for a two-day tournament beginning Friday, March 7 and wrapping up Saturday, March 8.
This weekend's matchups
Mar. 7| Bryant| 12:00 P.M.
Mar. 7| Stetson| 3:00 P.M.
Mar. 8| Bryant| 10:00 A.M.
Mar. 8| Stetson| 12:00 P.M.
Overview
After a midweek battle on Hawkins Field at the Cyrill Stadium against the College of Charleston, USC Upstate looks to continue their winning ways with their final weekend of non-conference action with an overall record of 19-2. With a hot start to the season, the Spartans are ranked #5 in the nation with a .380 batting average with eight players with 20+ hits on the season (Sophia Kardatzke, Denver Lauer, Taliyah Thomas, Amie Johnson, Carson Shaw, Abby Polk, Abigail Pippen, Alanna Deal). In the circle, Sierra Maness leads with a 1.94 ERA with Maddie Drerup following with a 2.50 ERA. As a team, the Spartans are ranked #45 in the NCAA with a 2.56 ERA with hopes of moving up in the rankings.
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Senior Outfielder, Denver Lauer continues to show why she is a top player nationally with a .429 batting average, 30 hits which is ranked #28 in the NCAA, five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 30 RBIs. Lauer has contributed to the USC Upstate's streak with a 21 on base streak while being fourth on the team with 12 stolen bases. Lauer will be a player to watch for opposing pitchers during the weekend as she continues her Senior year where she is one home run shy of tying her season high with six from the 2023 season.
Bryant: Freshman Infielder, Bryce Clendenin has rose to the occasion through her first 13 collegiate games leading with .415 batting average, 17 hits, seven runs scored, three doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs and two stolen bases. Clendenin's last games have displayed three multi-hit games with her season and career high with three hits against Colgate on February 28th. Upstate will look to neutralize Clendenin with the Spartans taking the field against the Bulldogs through two outings during the weekend.
Stetson: Junior Outfielder, Gia Napoli leads the Hatters with a .429 batting average while adding 21 hits, 13 runs scored, three doubles, one triple and six RBIs. Napoli has headed two consecutive games with three hits against FDU and Chattanooga. Napoli will have a slate of four games with opportunities to help Stetson overcome USC Upstate and Bryant stepping on their field with hopes of going undefeated through the tournament.
(!) 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 their weekend trip in Florida, Upstate will return to the Hub City for a midweek battle against South Dakota State Wednesday, March 12 for a doubleheader with game one slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. and game two to follow at 4:00 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!
Connect with the Spartans
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