SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Continuing the weekend series on the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium, USC Upstate Softball took the field against Charleston Southern where the Spartans swept the day while combining for 30 hits through both games.
Game One (13-5, Win)
The Buccaneers looked to open the top of the inning with a leadoff base hit and stolen base but the Spartans kept Charleston Southern scoreless leaving a runner on base. The Spartans opened the bottom of the inning with Denver Lauer giving Upstate their first hit followed by Sophia Kardatzke reaching first due to a fielding error on the Buccaneers. With two runners in scoring position, Alanna Deal's single past the shortstop sent Lauer and Kardatzke racing home for a two-run lead. Upstate continued to build their lead in the bottom of the second inning with Abby Polk leading off with an infield single and advancing to second on the throw. Taliyah Thomas continued her hot streak at bat with a RBI single to left center which was enough to let Abby Polk sprint her way home for a 3-0 lead. With Thomas stealing second, Denver Lauer followed with RBI single to left field giving the Spartans a 4-0 lead through two innings. Charleston Southern shook off the rust opening the top of the third with three consecutive hits to load the bases. The Spartans looked to throw a runner out at home but the Buccaneers were able to take advantage of Upstate's error sending two runners home. The game saw new life with the Buccaneers scoring two runs from a groundout and sacrifice fly tying it at four. The Spartans responded in the bottom of the inning with Abigail Pippen smacking a two-run homer to left field pushing Upstate back in the lead by two. The high-powered offense continued to see success with Amie Johnson and Liza Simmerson adding two consecutive base hits to get into scoring position. The lead grew with a Taliyah Thomas double to left field sending Simmerson and Johnson home for a 8-4 lead. The Buccaneers continued to stay in the fight adding two infield singles and converting with RBI single to center field to add a run trailing by three. In the bottom of the fourth, Upstate was far from finished with Sophia Kardatzke and Carson Shaw smacking two consecutive solo homers building their lead to 10-5. The Spartans would not allow another run from the Buccaneers while adding three more runs to win in run-rule fashion.
Game Two (8-3, Win)
Charleston Southern found their way with two runners on base from two consecutive walks a groundout advancing a runner to third quickly getting into scoring position. The Buccaneers took an early lead from a sacrifice fly going into the bottom of the inning. Taliyah Thomas led off with a base hit helping Upstate match the intensity of Charleston Southern. Denver Lauer saw the green light knocking out a two-run homer to center field wiping out the Buccaneer lead. Upstate drove in two more runs with Sophia Kardatzke taking advantage of a wild pitch and Amie Johnson's RBI single to left field. The lead grew to 5-1 with Sophia Kardatzke's RBI single through the right side scoring a runner home. The Buccaneers looked to put the Spartans in a bind with infield singles and a walk to load the bases but Upstate escaped the inning not allowing a run. However, Charleston Southern found their way creeping into Upstate's lead from two RBI singles now trailing 5-3. Alanna Deal opened the bottom of the fifth with an infield single which helped create a scoring opportunity from Abigail Pippen's triple to right field boosting the lead to 6-3. Upstate continued building their lead while not allowing another run as Sophia Kardatzke added her second homerun of the day and 10th on the season. Abby Polk's RBI single to right field helped score Upstate's final run to win in a sweep over Charleston Southern.
Notable
Up Next for the Spartans
Following a three-game series against the Buccaneers, Upstate Softball continues home cooking with their final home midweek doubleheader hosting Western Carolina Tuesday, April 15th with game one beginning at 3:00 P.M. and game two to follow at 5:00 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!
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