SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wrapping a five-game road swing, USC Upstate baseball takes one of its shortest trips inside Big South Conference play, heading to Gardner-Webb for a three-game weekend series. The Spartans look to extend their winning streak in the series, currently sitting at nine games, as play begins Friday evening with a 6 p.m. ET first pitch.
 
Weekend Series
April 25-27, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (21-21; 8-4 Big South) at Gardner-Webb (16-25; 5-10 Big South)
Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium | Boiling Springs, N.C.
 
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 (21-21; 8-4 Big South); Gardner-Webb (16-25; 5-10 Big South)
Series: USC Upstate leads 21-18
Last Five Meetings: March 17, 2024 (UPST 20; GWU 2 [7 inn.]); March 16, 2024 (UPST 8; GWU 5); March 15, 2024 (UPST 4; GWU 0); May 7, 2023 (UPST 11; GWU 6); May 6, 2023 (UPST 4; GWU 0)
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Gardner-Webb
Game One: RHP Amp Phillips (3-1; 4.30 ERA) | RHP Gavin Schmitt (0-2; 8.55 ERA)
Game Two: RHP Darin Kuskie (3-1; 4.24 ERA) | RHP Nick Vieira (0-2; 6-65 ERA)
Game Three: LHP Chris Torres (4-4; 5.40 ERA) | To Be Announced
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate
Pitcher: Working a career-long 6.1 innings versus UNCG last Friday, sophomore right-handed pitcher Darin Kuskie secured his first career quality start. He limited the Spartans to four and two earned runs while striking out five, earning his third win of the campaign. He sports a 3-1 record and 4.24 ERA with 38 strikeouts entering the weekend.
 
Position Player: Slugging his 14^th homer of the season Wednesday at Tennessee Tech, redshirt sophomore centerfielder Scott Newman regained the team lead in the category. His season home run total ties for the sixth most in a single season in the program's Division I era (2007-pres.) and ties for the 11^th most in a single season in program history. He enters the weekend with a slash line of .297/.426/.589 while leading the team with 53 runs scored.
 
Gardner-Webb
Pitcher: Making 22 appearances on the season, junior left-handed pitcher Jerek Hobb ranks fourth in the NCAA in total appearances. He's tossed 23.2 innings this season, pitching to a 5.32 ERA and 3-2 record with 33 strikeouts and a .185 opponents' batting average.
 
Position Player: Ranking third in the Big South in the category, redshirt senior infielder Dale Francis Jr. leads the Runnin' Bulldogs with 13 homers. He leads Gardner-Webb in slugging percentage and RBI, posting a .651 slugging percentage and 48 RBI on the year.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Facing no midweek opposition in the coming week, USC Upstate returns to action next weekend as Big South play continues. The Spartans host Longwood for a three-game set from May 2-4 with first pitch times set for 6 p.m. ET Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartans 
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YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
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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!