CLINTON, S.C. - Postseason play for USC Upstate Softball begins with the Spartans taking the field for the 2025 Big South Softball Championships as the No. 3 seed with eyes on taking the trophy home for the second consecutive year.
Thursday's Matchup
May 8, 2025| 12:00 P.M.
No. 2 Seed Longwood Lancers (20-30; 11-7 Big South) vs. No. 3 Seed USC Upstate Spartans (36-14; 10-8 Big South)
PC Softball Complex| Clinton, South Carolina
TV: ESPN+/Nexstar
How they Stack Up
Longwood leads all-time series 15-9
Last Five Matchups: Apr. 27, 2025 (LWU 4; UPST 0); Apr. 26, 2025 (LWU 6; UPST 3); Apr. 26, 2025 (LWU 5; UPST 2) Apr. 6, 2024 (UPST 5; LWU 3); Apr. 5, 2024 (UPST 9; LWU 2)
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Senior Infielder, Alanna Deal will be an X-factor for the Spartans who has the experience of being in postseason play and making the right plays. Recently being announced to the Big South All-Conference Second Team, Deal had a career year with a .331 batting average and 46 hits. In the regular season finale series against the Lancers, Deal made her way on base five times from being walked and is patient at the plate to not chase after outside pitches. Alanna Deal will look to string along a few hits while helping to drive in some runs to help the Spartans stay in the Winner's bracket during the Big South Softball Championships.
Longwood: Senior Pitcher, Er'ron Burton will have another challenge in the circle with looking to contain Upstate Softball's high-powered offense. Burton shutout Upstate in the win to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Big South Tournament and was named Big South Pitcher of the Week due to her 3-0 performance on the week. Burton will look to raise the stakes over Upstate avoid the elimination game at 5:00 p.m. by entering the circle with another performance that will help Longwood into victory.
Up Next for the Spartans
In the double elimination tournament, the winner of the opening game on Thursday will advance to Friday to take on the winner of the Radford vs. Charleston/Winthrop game at noon. The loser will take the field Thursday night at 5:00 P.M. to face the loser of the Winthrop vs. Charleston Southern game.
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
Instagram | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
