BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Returning to the Brinkley Softball Stadium, Upstate Softball took the field already leading the series with a Friday afternoon win to take on Gardner-Webb for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader where the Spartans finished the series sweeping the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Game Two (8-3, Win)
The action picked up with the Runnin' Bulldogs opening the bottom of the second inning with two consecutive base hits and a walk. Back to back RBI singles put Gardner-Webb in the scoring column with a 2-0 lead. Upstate responded in the top of the third with the lefty action being put on display as Abby Polk and Amie Johnson led off with two base hits. Liza Simmerson successfully put the Spartans on the board with a double to left center driving in two runs. Upstate took the lead with a Denver Lauer triple to right field sending Simmerson and Taliyah Thomas home for a 4-2 lead. The Spartans continued their momentum with sacrifice fly to center field by Sophia Kardatzke gave the Spartans their third run of the inning. In the circle, Maddie Drerup began to contain the Runnin' Bulldogs with a quick inning including striking out a batter. However, Gardner-Webb entered the bottom of the fourth inning with a double to center field following a groundout advancing a runner in scoring position. A sacrifice fly to left field sent a runner home cutting into the Upstate lead with a score of 5-3. Upstate opened the fifth inning taking the driver's seat with Taliyah Thomas and Denver Lauer getting on base with infield singles. A wild pitch took the attention away from Thomas as she slid into home plate for Upstate's sixth run. With two runners on, Alanna Deal doubled to left field pushing the Spartan lead to 8-3. Defensively, Upstate only allowed one more hit through the final two innings to open day two with a win. Denver Lauer went 3-for-3 at bat with two runs batted in followed by Taliyah Thomas going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases. In the circle, Maddie Drerup pitched a complete game striking out four batters and earning her 12th win.
Game Three (7-3, Win)
The action quickly picked up with Sophia Kardatzke putting the Runnin' Bulldogs in a bind with a solo homerun to right field. Carson Shaw started the day getting on base with a single up the middle which would not be the last time she would get on. Gardner-Webb took the lead taking advantage of a throwing error and following with a triple to right field for a 2-1 lead. Upstate quickly responded in the top of the second inning taking advantage of a walk, hit by pitch, and a base hit from Amie Johnson. Another walk from the Runnin' Bulldogs walked in the tying run flipping the script for the game. Gardner-Webb's offense was stalled in the bottom of the inning where Sierra Maness struck out a batter and was backed up by Abby Polk with two consecutive groundouts. Upstate's offense began heating up with Carson Shaw leading off with her second hit through the left side followed by the bases being loaded with Alanna Deal being walked and Abigail Pippen's infield single. Abby Polk's two-RBI single pushed the Spartans back in the lead with Kailey Canupp and Alanna Deal sprinting their way home for a 4-2 lead. The lead continued to build as Carson Shaw's bat could not be cooled off with her third hit resulting in an RBI. Gardner-Webb looked to respond with two runners in scoring position from base hits but the Spartans battled back with a lineout to Alanna Deal keeping the Runnin' Bulldogs at two. Upstate continued to give the pitching staff of Gardner-Webb trouble as Carson Shaw added her fourth hit with a double to left center having Sophia Kardatzke sprint her way home and an RBI single from Alanna Deal. Gardner-Webb looked to make a late rally in the bottom of the seventh scoring their third run from a sacrifice fly but Upstate would not allow the momentum to be shifted.
Notable
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Since April 9th, Upstate Softball has been a on seven game winning streak, added 88 hits, and scored 72 runs.
Up Next for the Spartans
Following the weekend series at Gardner-Webb, Upstate Softball renews the crosstown rivalry with Wofford with anticipation of tying the season series on Wednesday, April 23rd beginning at 6:00 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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