SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Returning home following the team's longest stint away from Cleveland S. Harley Park during the 2025 campaign, USC Upstate baseball hosts Winthrop for a three-game set. The Spartans hold the series lead over the Eagles 13-7, entering the weekend winners of the past five meetings between the two programs.
 
Weekend Series
April 11-13, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. / 6:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (16-17; 5-4 Big South) vs. Winthrop (18-17; 5-4 Big South)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ (Sunday Only) | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM | Also available via the Fox Sports Spartanburg or TuneIn App
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (16-17; 5-4 Big South); Winthrop (18-17; 5-4 Big South)
Series: USC Upstate leads 13-7
Last Five Meetings: April 7, 2024 (UPST 4; WIN 0); April 6, 2024 (UPST 13; WIN 10); April 5, 2024 (UPST 5; WIN 2); May 26, 2023 (UPST 8; WIN 3); May 25, 2023 (UPST 10; WIN 4)
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Winthrop
Game One: RHP Darin Kuskie (1-1; 4.37 ERA) | RHP Harrison Wilson (3-0; 4.05 ERA)
Game Two: RHP Amp Phillips (2-1; 5.03 ERA) | RHP Brayden Gilley (3-1; 6.89 ERA)
Game Three: LHP Chris Torres (3-4; 4.89 ERA) | RHP Connor Harris (4-2; 6.80 ERA)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate
Pitcher: Behind a career-high 11 strikeouts over a career-long 7.0 innings against High Point last Saturday, redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Amp Phillips captured his first Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week honor. He held the league's best offense in check, holding High Point to a .160 team batting average as he allowed just four hits, leading to his second win of the season. On the year, Phillips posts a 2-1 record and two saves with a 5.03 ERA while striking out 36 hitters.
 
Position Player: Going 8-for-14 at the plate in the Spartans' three-game series at High Point, senior designated hitter Johnny Sweeney slugged three home runs and drove home nine RBI en route to a second Big South Player of the Week honor. He hit a pair of homers in game one of the series, launching a go-ahead grand slam in the ninth inning to cap a six-RBI day at the plate. He enters the weekend as the Big South's leader in home runs with 12 while ranking second in the league with 43 RBI.
 
Winthrop
Pitcher: Earning the win with a 7.0 inning, nine strikeout performance last Friday against UNC Asheville, junior right-handed pitcher Harrison Wilson garnered Big South Starting Pitcher of the Week accolades. He enters the weekend series with a 3-0 record and 4.05 ERA over 10 appearances, striking out 32 over 33.1 innings on the year.
 
Position Player: Slashing .333/.500/.528 on the season, sophomore utility player Jaylen Hernandez leads the Eagles at the plate in 2025, posting team highs in hits, doubles, RBI, and runs scored. He also ties for the team lead with 17 HBP, helping Winthrop lead the nation in the category, ranking seventh personally in the NCAA.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Closing out its three-game midweek series against its crosstown rival, USC Upstate heads to Wofford Tuesday evening. The rubber match between the Spartans and Terriers sees first pitch at 5:30 p.m. ET.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!
 
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!