SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the new week with a four-game slate, USC Upstate Softball will begin with traveling to Athens, Georgia for a non-conference midweek battle against No. 18 ,University of Georgia.
Wednesday's Matchup
April 9, 2025| 6:00 P.M.
USC Upstate (29-10; 4-5 Big South) vs. University of Georgia (25-13; 4-10 SEC)
Turner Softball Stadium| Athens, Ga.
TV: SEC Network| Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
How They Stack Up
Series: Georgia leads All-Time Series 8-2
Last Five Meetings: Apr. 17, 2024 (UGA 8; UPST 0); Apr. 19, 2023 (UGA 6; UPST 0); Apr. 20, 2022 (UGA 5; UPST 3); Apr. 14, 2021 (UGA 4; UPST 1); Apr. 18, 2018 (UGA 10; UPST 0)
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Junior Outfielder, Taliyah Thomas continues to be a key player for the Spartans as the leadoff hitter that can get a rally started for the Spartans and put opposing defenses in a bind when she gets on base with a team leading 24 stolen bases. Thomas has also proven to take the leap that Head Coach, Chris Hawkins knew she could do when she was named to the Big South Preseason All-Conference Team. The observation has come to fruition with Taliyah Thomas shattering her sophomore season numbers with a .355 batting average, 45 runs scored, 49 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, one home run, .478 slugging percentage, .388 on-base percentage, and 24 stolen bases. Thomas is also ranked #5 in the NCAA as the toughest player to strike out. In the outfield, Thomas has secured 61 putouts with a 1.000 fielding percentage while giving max effort each game. Taliyah Thomas will look to help Upstate snap the losing streak against the Bulldogs and make magic under the lights in Athens.
Georgia: Junior Catcher/Utility Player, Sarah Gordon is currently on a four-game hitting streak and is second on the team with a .339 batting average. During Gordon's hitting streak, she had two multi-hit games with two against Mercer and two hits against SEC Opponent, Texas A&M. The Junior from Lexington, South Carolina adds 39 hits on the season, seven doubles, one triple, eight home runs, and 37 runs batted in. Gordon could be a key player to get the Bulldogs' offense going and will look to put Upstate's defense to the test.
Up Next for the Spartans
Following a matchup in Athens, Upstate Softball returns to the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium to host Charleston Southern for a conference weekend series with game one beginning Friday, April 11th at 5:00 P.M. and a doubleheader to follow on Saturday, April 12th at 1:00 & 3:00 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!
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
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