Softball returns to Cyrill Stadium, hosting the Upstate Classic

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to the field for the Upstate Classic, co-hosted with Wofford College beginning on Friday, February 20th and wrapping up February 22nd on the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium.

Overview

The Spartans welcome Harvard, Holy Cross, Robert Morris and Morgan State to the Upstate Classic for Friday and Saturday matchups. Opening Day one of the Upstate Classic, Harvard comes off a 1-3 weekend following the Grand Canyon invite earning their lone win against Northern Colorado. Holy Cross enters the Upstate Classic making their debut for the 2026 season, marking Friday the 20th as their opening day in Hub City. Shifting for day two, Robert Morris continues the Palmetto trail after a 2-2 weekend at the Winthrop invite earning two wins over Le Moyne College. Upstate will have a four-game slate after an undefeated weekend hosting the Wings Etc. Classic following wins against West Georgia and Youngstown State.

This Weekend's Matchups

Feb. 20| Harvard| 3:00 P.M. EST (!)

Feb. 20| Holy Cross| 5:30 P.M. EST (!)

Feb. 21| Robert Morris| 1:30 P.M. EST (!)

Feb. 21| Morgan State| 4:00 P.M. EST (!)

TV: All games this weekend will be live Stats only (!)
Location: All games are set to take place on Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium.

Players to Watch

Upstate: Junior Infielder, Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan led Upstate with a .545 batting average, while going 6-for-11 at the plate, adding four runs scored, two homeruns, and a 1.091 slugging percentage. In result of her efforts, Bernal-Mahagan was named the Big South Co-Player of the Week marking her first weekly award after weeks of competition at Upstate. Starting six games at the DP position, Mackeznei Bernal-Mahagan has quickly found her place with the Spartans as she adds a firepower in the offensive lineup with two homeruns. As Upstate prepares for the Upstate Classic, Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan will be a player to keep an eye on as she faces many opposing pitchers.

Harvard: Senior Pitcher, Ryan Grace comes off a stellar opening weekend after being named the Ivy League Pitcher of the Week, adding a 0.78 ERA, striking out 10 batters, and an opposing batter average of .206. Grace added a 6-2 record in the circle during the 2025 season and contributed a 3.62 ERA and 51 strikeouts. As Ryan Grace looks to build off her opening weekend performance, she will have five opportunities to do so beginning with Holy Cross on Friday afternoon.

Holy Cross: Senior Infielder, Anna Brait returns to the Crusaders after leading Holy Cross with a .299 batting average, 40 hits, five doubles, and added one homerun during the 2025 season. Brait was key for Holy Cross with 91 putouts and a .963 fielding percentage. As Holy Cross begins a new season, her contributions at the plate and defensively will be something to watch as the Crusaders will have five opportunities during the Upstate/Sparkle City Classic.

Robert Morris: Junior Catcher, Aglaia Rudd has opened her 2026 season through four games where she led the Colonials with a .455 batting average, went 5-for-11 at bat, whacked four homeruns (two against Le Moyne, one against Kent State, one against Winthrop) during the Winthrop Invite. As Rudd begins her career with Robert Morris, she looks to continue putting everything together as she continues the Palmetto trail for the Upstate/Sparkle City Classic.

Morgan State: Senior Infielder, Tonya Marks returns to the Bears lineup for the 2026 season as Morgan State makes their season debut in Hub City. Marks was third on the team with a .261 batting average, 23 hits, 14 runs scored, five doubles, three triples, seven runs batted in and a .695 on-base percentage. Marks looks to help the Bears start their new season on a high note as Morgan State takes the new season at the Upstate/Sparkle City Classic.

Full Tournament Schedule

(!) Friday, February 20| Harvard vs. Holy Cross| 12:30 P.M. EST

(!) Friday, February 20| Harvard vs. USC Upstate| 3:00 P.M. EST

(!) Friday, February 20| Holy Cross vs. USC Upstate| 5:30 P.M. EST

(!) Saturday, February 21| Robert Morris vs. Morgan State| 11:00 A.M. EST

(!) Saturday, February 21| Robert Morris vs. USC Upstate| 1:30 P.M. EST

(!) Saturday, February 21| Morgan State vs. USC Upstate| 4:00 P.M. EST

(!) Sunday, February 22| Morgan State vs. Harvard| 10:00 A.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 Upstate Classic.

Up next for the Spartans

Following their final regular home tournament, Upstate Softball begins a loaded week with Tuesday action at Wofford at 6:00 P.M. EST followed by a Wednesday doubleheader hosting Furman at 3:00 & 5:00 P.M. EST. The week rounds out with the Spartans heading to Auburn, Alabama for the Jane B. Moore Memorial where Upstate battles Troy University and #20 Virginia Tech on Friday, February 27th. The action follows with Auburn at 5:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 28th and Sunday action against #20 Virginia Tech at 10:00 A.M. and wrapping up against Auburn at 12:30 P.M. EST.

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

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Players Mentioned

Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan

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