Alanna Deal after scoring a run over Winthrop
Emma Hudson
4
Winthrop WINTHROP 29-22
5
Winner USC Upstate UPST 38-14
Winthrop WINTHROP
29-22
4
Final
5
USC Upstate UPST
38-14
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Winthrop WINTHROP 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 4 1
USC Upstate UPST 1 1 0 0 3 0 X 5 6 2

W: Maness, Sierra (21-7) L: ADDISON, Lonna (10-6)

Game Recap: Softball |

No. 3 Spartans rallies over No. 4 seed Winthrop advancing to their second consecutive Big South Championship Final

No. 3 seed USC Upstate Softball battled with No. 4 seed Winthrop University in a 2024 Conference Championship rematch with the Spartans rallying past the Eagles for a 5-4 win.

CLINTON, S.C. - Returning to the field at the PC Softball Complex for the 2025 Big South Softball Championships, No. 3 seed USC Upstate Softball battled with No. 4 seed Winthrop University in a 2024 Conference Championship rematch with the Spartans rallying past the Eagles for a 5-4 win. 

Winthrop opened the scoring column with a lead off walk and stealing second to drive in a run to lead 1-0. The Spartans responded in the bottom of the inning with Denver Lauer making her way to first with a walk. Alanna Deal began her day with a single through the left side followed by stealing second to put the Eagles in a bind. With two runners in scoring position, a groundout to first took the attention away from Lauer advancing from third to tie the game at one. Upstate took the lead with Emily Stern getting on first with a walk which followed with the speed of Stern stealing second and advancing home from a throwing error putting the Spartans in the lead 2-1. In the circle, Sierra Maness struck out the leadoff batter in the top of the third helping start a quick inning as Liza Simmerson and Maness grounding out the following two batters. The Eagles responded with getting two runners on with a walk and an infield single resulting in the following at bat ending with a three-run homer to regain the lead 4-2. As the Spartans looked to regain their momentum, the bottom of the fifth heightened the intensity with Alanna Deal doubling to center field to drive in a run creeping closer to Winthrop's lead. Sophia Kardatzke followed with a RBI single past the infield helping send Alanna Deal home for the tying run. With Kardatzke stealing second, Abigail Pippen proved to be ready for the big moment smacking a two-out single putting Upstate back in the lead. Defensively, Upstate cooled off Winthrop at the plate with Sierra Maness striking out a batter and Abby Polk adding two consecutive groundouts. With a final chance for Winthrop to extend the game, the Spartans made quick work with no hits allowed for a three up, three down inning to advance to the Championship round.  


Notable 

  • Upstate's win advances the Spartans to the Championship round of the 2025 Big South Championships for the second consecutive year where the Spartans will await their opponent following the 5:00 P.M. game. 

  • In the circle, Sierra Maness struck out two batters while pitching a complete game to move to 21-7 in the circle. 

  • With the Spartans in the winner's bracket, the Spartans will have one more win to go back-to-back as Tournament Champions. 

Up Next for the Spartans  

Upstate Softball takes the field for the Championship round Saturday, April 10 at 12:00 P.M. EST where the Spartans will take on the winner against Winthrop vs. Longwood/Radford. 

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 

Print Friendly Version