Upstate Softball sweeps day two of the Upstate Classic against Robert Morris and Morgan State

Saturday, February 21

Spartanburg, S.C.

1:30 PM

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

9-2

Robert Morris

4-4

Robert Morris

USC Upstate

2/21/2026 9:11:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Taking the field for day two of the Upstate Classic, USC Upstate Softball battled against Robert Morris and Morgan State where the Spartans grinded out two victories, finishing the Upstate Classic 3-1 overall. Upstate battled the Colonials with a walk-off win in eight innings with a 10-9 final followed by a 7-1 victory over the Bears.

Game one vs. Robert Morris (10-9, Win)

Opening the top of the first, Robert Morris jumped in the scoring column following a three-run homer. The Spartans followed with Taliyah Thomas leading off with a solo shot to left field, quickly putting the Spartans in the scoring column. Following a fielding error from the Colonials, the Spartans were able to cut their deficit to one as Ella Christopher sprinted her way to home plate. Robert Morris increased the lead to two, following a runner on third, taking advantage of a fielder's choice in the field. The Colonials followed with RBI single past the shortstop, increasing their lead to 5-2. As Upstate looked to battle back, Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan responded to the challenge following a leadoff single from Taliyah Thomas to score their third run. The bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the momentum shift for Upstate as Ella Christopher knocked a double to left center for Amie Johnson to cut their deficit to one. Laney Jennings' RBI single to right center sending Christopher and Taliyah Thomas home for two runs to take the lead at 6-5. As the Colonials entered the top of the seventh needing to tie, Robert Morris tied the game with three consecutive base hits that helped advance runners home and tie the game. As the game entered extras, a sacrifice flew to left field with a runner in scoring position to lead 9-8. Upstate entered the bottom of the eighth inning, Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan led off with a base hit advancing Laney Jennings to third. A sacrifice bunt from Carson Shaw helped advance the tying run as Jennings sprinted her way home. With a runner in scoring position, Alyssa Davenport walked it off with an RBI single to give Upstate a 10-9 win.

Game two vs. Morgan State (7-1, Win)

Opening the second game, Upstate gained the upper edge as Ella Christopher smacked a double to left center advancing Abby Polk and Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan to home plate for two runs. As Chloe Poteete entered the circle, she maintained the batters from Morgan State striking out two batters to keep the bats cold from the Bears. Taliyah Thomas led off with an RBI single to right field following a hit from Laila Landrum to score their third run. Landrum followed with a double to right center to advance a runner home to score the fourth run. The bottom of the fourth proved to be Upstate's big inning scoring three runs from an RBI single from Laney Jennings and a double from Ella Christopher extending their lead to 7-0. Morgan State responded with a run in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single, but the Spartans held on with Chloe Poteete earning the win and Ashlyn Brown earning the save.

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