Fifth Iteration of the OneSpartanburg, Inc. Baseball Classic Faces Baseball as Northern Illinois, Valparaiso, and NJIT Head to Harley Park

Friday, February 20

Spartanburg, S.C.

3:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

Northern Illinois

Trey Bentley 3rd AB vs. Western Carolina Gm 1 2026 - CH

Photo by: Catherine Harney

2/19/2026 4:13:00 PM | Baseball

ESPN+ (vs. NIU)Fox Sports Spartanburg (vs. NIU)Fox Sports Spartanburg (vs. NJIT)Live Stats (All Games)Game Notes

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Continuing its action-packed week, USC Upstate baseball returns to Cleveland S. Harley Park for a three-game weekend set, hosting the fifth iteration of the OneSpartanburg, Inc. Baseball Classic in the program's first three-game home weekend of the campaign. The 2026 incarnation of the event sees the Spartans host Northern Illinois (Friday at 3 p.m. ET), Valparaiso (Saturday at 2 p.m.), and NJIT (Sunday at 11:00 a.m.), welcoming the teams in concert with Presbyterian and Wofford.

OneSpartanburg, Inc. Baseball Classic
February 20, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (2-3; 0-0 Big South) vs. Northern Illinois (2-2; 0-0 MAC)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.

February 21, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (2-3; 0-0 Big South) vs. Valparaiso (1-3; 0-0 MVC)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.

February 22, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. ET
USC Upstate (2-3; 0-0 Big South) vs. NJIT (0-3; 0-0 America East)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.

TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App (Friday Only)
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM | Also available via the Fox Sports Spartanburg or TuneIn App (Friday & Sunday Only)

How They Stack Up
vs. Northern Illinois
Records: USC Upstate (2-3; 0-0 Big South); Northern Illinois (2-2; 0-0 MAC)
Series: First Meeting
Last Five Meetings: First Meeting

vs. Valparaiso
Records: USC Upstate (2-3; 0-0 Big South); Valparaiso (1-3; 0-0 MVC)
Series: USC Upstate leads 3-1
Last Five Meetings: March 8, 2015 (UPST 17; VALPO 13); March 7, 2015 (VALPO 17; UPST 5); March 6, 2015 (UPST 8; VALPO 7); March 5, 2012 (UPST 8; VALPO 2)

vs. NJIT
Records: USC Upstate (2-3; 0-0 Big South); NJIT (0-3; 0-0 America East)
Series: USC Upstate leads 5-4
Last Five Meetings: April 14, 2018 (UPST 9; NJIT 7); April 14, 2018 (UPST 9; NJIT 1); April 13, 2018 (NJIT 7; UPST 3); May 20, 2017 (UPST 13; NJIT 12); May 19, 2017 (UPST 11; NJIT 3)

Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Opponent
vs. Northern Illinois: LHP Chris Torres (0-1; 18.00 ERA) | LHP Carter Cox (1-0; 1.80 ERA)
vs. Valparaiso: RHP Brent Stukes (1-0; 5.40 ERA) | RHP Connor Lockwood (0-0; 6.00 ERA)
vs. NJIT: RHP Max Bianchini (0-1; 23.62 ERA) | RHP Mark Scamardella (0-0; 0.00 ERA)

Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Setting the table atop the Spartan batting order, redshirt sophomore centerfielder Henry Zenor is riding a five-game hitting streak, with multi-hit games in three of his five outings this season. Pounding out 11 hits over 26 at-bats (.423 average), he's tied for the national lead in hits, including a career-high four hits Tuesday versus Western Carolina.

Northern Illinois: Taking the ball on Opening Day for the Huskies, sophomore left-handed pitcher Carter Cox struck out 10 batters, leading the MAC and ranking 12^th nationally in strikeouts. He scattered four hits and six baserunners over his 5.0 innings of work, allowing just one run.

Valparaiso: Recording a hit in seven of his 14 at-bats, freshman infielder Cal Schembra ranks second in the Missouri Valley with his .500 batting average. His seven hits rank third in the Missouri Valley while he also ranks fifth in the league in slugging percentage, as two of his hits went for extra bases, a double and a home run.

NJIT: Leading the Highlanders at the plate during the season's opening weekend, senior infielder Austin Francis posted a .417 batting average with five hits in 12 at-bats. He reached base seven times in the team's series against Longwood, doing so with just one strikeout in his 14 plate appearances.

Up Next for the Spartans
Facing the team's final two-game midweek slate of the season, Upstate travels to the Sunshine State for a pair of games. The Spartans travel to North Florida Tuesday (6 p.m. ET) and Stetson Wednesday (6:30 p.m.).

Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans

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