SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to the field for the second weekend of play, Upstate Softball hosts the Wings Etc. Classic beginning Friday, February 13 and wrapping up February 14th on the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium.
Overview
The Spartans welcome the University of West Georgia and Youngstown State to the Wings Etc. Classic for Friday and Saturday matchups. West Georgia comes off a 2-4 opening weekend winning both matchups against Bellarmine. Youngstown State comes off a 2-3 weekend at the Gardner-Webb Invite, winning over Gardner-Webb and Furman. Upstate comes into the Wings Etc. Classic as the lone team over .500, after going 3-1 at the Founders Classic earning two wins over Saint Francis and a win over Ohio. During the Founders Classic, Upstate had seven batters over .400 with Taliyah Thomas leading with .600, Ella Christopher following with .571, Laney Jennings with .563, Carson Shaw with .462, Alyssa Davenport with .417, and Emily Stern along with Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan each batting .400. The four game slate for each team will consist of a total of three games played on Hawkins Field through Friday and Saturday.
This Weekend's Matchups
Feb. 13| West Georgia| 1:30 P.M. EST*
Feb. 13| Youngstown State| 4:00 P.M. EST*
Feb. 14| Youngstown State| 1:30 P.M. EST
Feb. 14| West Georgia| 4:00 P.M. EST
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App (televised games noted with an *)
Location: All games are set to take place on Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium.
Players to Watch
Upstate: Senior Outfielder, Taliyah Thomas led the Spartans batting .600 where she went 9-for-15 at the plate while adding two doubles and a home run. During Opening Weekend, Thomas added her career high in hits going 5-for-5 against Towson and scoring one run. Thomas followed with another multi-hit game going 2-for-5 including knocking two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, tying the game at nine apiece. In result, the Spartans were able to walk it off over Ohio following an RBI single from Ella Christopher. Thomas continues to have the mindset of staying locked in and doing anything she can to help her team win. Taliyah Thomas will look to continue her consistency on the plate while potentially helping go 4-0 during the Wings Etc. Classic.
West Georgia: Senior Outfielder, Zekylah Boyd leads the Wolves with a .429 batting average, with opening weekend being highlighted going 2-for-3 against Austin Peay and scoring three runs. Boyd went 3-for-7 at the plate, adding one stolen base, one home run and .857 slugging percentage. Boyd has seen the transition from being with West Georgia being in the Gulf South Conference in NCAA Division II to continuing their growth in the ASUN in NCAA Division I, competing in D1 for their second season in the program. As West Georgia makes their way to Hub City, Boyd will have four opportunities to showcase her talents on the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium.
Youngstown State: Senior Catcher, Kennedy Dean led the Penguins, 9-for-17 at the plate, including going 4-for-4 in the opening game against Gardner-Webb. Dean added one home run and a six-RBI performance against the Runnin' Bulldogs. Leading with a .529 batting average, Dean also added seven runs scored and finished with two more multi-hit games going 2-for-4 against Tarleton State. In the last matchup against USC Upstate on March 1, 2025, Dean went 1-for-3 with one run scored. Kennedy Dean looks to take her opening weekend approach and follow with a duplicate performance through four opportunities at the Wings Etc. Classic.
Full Tournament Schedule
(!) February 13| West Georgia vs. Youngstown State| 11:00 A.M. EST
February 13| West Georgia vs. USC Upstate| 1:30 P.M. EST
February 13| Youngstown State vs. USC Upstate| 4:00 P.M. EST
(!) February 14| Youngstown State vs. West Georgia| 11:00 A.M. EST
(!) February 14| Youngstown State vs. USC Upstate| 1:30 P.M. EST
(!) February 14| West Georgia vs. USC Upstate| 4:00 P.M. EST
(!) Live stats Only
LiveStats will be available for all games and a recap following the day's action can be found at upstatespartans.com.
*Bold team indicates the home team for each game scheduled through the Founders Classic.
Up next for the Spartans
Following hosting the Wings Etc. Classic, Upstate returns to the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium hosting the Upstate Classic beginning Friday, Feb. 20th and wrapping up Saturday, Feb. 21st. On Friday, Upstate will host Harvard and Holy Cross followed by taking on Robert Morris and Morgan State on Saturday.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
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YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
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Ingles I-26 Rivalry Food Drive: Support Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg by donating to the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Food Drive through Saturday, February 14. All donations stay local, and donors may scan the QR code on donation bins for a free ticket to an upcoming Upstate basketball game. For donation locations and more information, click here.
