SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Taking the field for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader, USC Upstate Softball took the field for a Big South Conference matchup against Longwood University where the Lancers swept the day with two wins over the Spartans. 

Game One (5-2, Loss) 

The action picked up with Longwood adding two consecutive infield singles to set the stage for an RBI single past the shortstop to open the scoring column with a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, Amie Johnson and Abby Polk adding back-to-back base hits to get into scoring position. The Lancers were able to hold their ground keeping the Spartans scoreless going into the third inning. Upstate found their way into the scoring column during the bottom of the inning as Taliyah Thomas and Denver found their way on base from a walk and bunt single. Carson Shaw's single down the line was enough to display the speed of Denver Lauer tying the game at one apiece. Longwood regained the momentum with a solo homerun bomb to left center to take the lead but the Spartans tied the game at two runs with Amie Johnson double down the right field line for Abby Polk to sprint to home plate. Sierra Maness cooled down the bats from the Lancers striking out two batters in the top of the fifth inning to give the Spartans another shot at bat. However, Longwood halted Upstate through the bottom of the inning and tacked on three runs taking advantage of two fielding errors from Upstate followed by a runner advancing home from a groundout. The Lancers used the momentum from the sixth inning to hold Upstate to just one hit and not allowing a run to take game one of the series.  

Game Two (6-3, Loss) 

Longwood jumped in front with two runners on from the first two batters being walked followed by an RBI single. The Lancers built their lead with a runner advancing home from a throwing error followed by a runner in scoring position stealing home to lead 3-0. Taliyah Thomas added a lead off double followed by advancing to third from a passed ball getting into scoring position. With Alanna Deal being walked to first, Deal's attempt to steal second took the attention away from Thomas as she stole home for Upstate's first run. The Spartans kept control through the following four innings not allowing Longwood to build their lead on the offensive end with only one hit allowed. The Lancers jumped ahead in the top of the fifth inning leading off with a bunt single but the Spartans a connection from Abigail Pippen to Abby Polk caught the runner stealing second for the first out. Longwood followed with three consecutive solo homeruns to extend their lead to 6-1. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Spartans found their footing with three consecutive hits from Carson Shaw, Denver Lauer, and Amie Johnson capping it off with an RBI single for the Spartans' second run. As Upstate looked to rally, Abby Polk singled through the right side helping Lauer sprint home to cut the Lancers' lead to three. Longwood avoided allowing more runs from the Spartans holding onto the lead and taking the series clinching win. 

Up Next for the Spartans 

Upstate Softball continues the weekend series for Game three on the national stage as the Spartans take the field for a Sunday afternoon matchup at 3:00 p.m. eastern time against Longwood for the final regular-season game live on ESPNU. 

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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