Upstate Softball looking to snag each opportunity with an eight-game slate week ahead

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Following hosting 12 games in three weeks for their home tournaments, Upstate Softball turns their attention to a new challenge which includes an eight-game slate beginning with traveling across town for a Tuesday night battle with Wofford, a Wednesday doubleheader hosting Furman for their final non-conference home game before Big South play begins on March 20, and five opportunities battling Troy, #11 Virginia Tech, and Auburn at the Jane B. Moore Memorial in Auburn, Alabama.

Overview

The Spartans finished with a 10-2 through three weekends combined at the Founders, Wings Etc. And Upstate Classic. The wheels on the bus will now begin to move with the Spartans only have one last date at the Cyrill Stadium on Wednesday, February 25th hosting Furman University at 3:00 & 5:00 P.M. Outside of the lone home doubleheader in the week, the Spartans travel to Hope Field for a Tuesday night showdown with Wofford following co-hosting the Upstate/Sparkle City Classic with each other. Rounding out the week, Upstate travels to the Plains of Auburn, Alabama where the Spartans begin a five-game schedule in the Jane B. Moore Memorial taking on Troy University and #11 Virginia Tech on Friday, February 27th at 11:30 A.M. EST and 2:00 P.M. EST. The memorial continues with a lone game with Auburn on Saturday, February 28th at 5:00 P.M. Eastern live on SEC Network Plus. The tournament will end with Sunday action battling Virginia Tech once more followed by the finale with Auburn.

This Week's Matchups

Feb. 24| at Wofford| 6:00 P.M. EST*

Feb. 25| vs. Furman| 3:00 & 5:00 P.M. EST* (Game One on ESPN+ Only)

Feb. 27| vs. Troy & #11 Virginia Tech @ Auburn, Ala.| 11:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. EST/

Feb. 28| at Auburn| 5:00 P.M. EST| SECN+*

Mar. 1| vs. #11 Virginia Tech & Auburn @ Auburn, Ala.| 10:00 A.M. & 12:30 P.M. EST| SECN+ vs. Auburn*

TV: ESPN+/ SECN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App (televised games noted with an *)
Location: Tuesday's Location: Hope Field in Spartanburg, S.C.

Wednesday's Location: Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.

Friday-Sunday's Location: Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn, Ala.

Players to Watch

USC Upstate: Senior Infielder, Ella Christopher continues proving that she is a player that can fit in any situation or system as she is ranked second on the Spartans with a .452 batting average. Turning a new page after transferring from Gardner-Webb, Christopher leads Upstate Softball in five categories (hits, slugging percentage, runs batted in, doubles, and total bases). In four games played at the Upstate Classic, Ella Christopher batted .500 with a walk-off homerun against Holy Cross (marking her second homerun at Upstate), added a hit each game including three doubles against Morgan State, led with a 1.125 slugging percentage and added a .500 on base percentage. As Upstate continues to build with the offensive firepower, Christopher adds the versatility to continue helping be a top 25 team in the batting average category as Upstate sits at #14 in the NCAA.

Wofford: Sophomore Infielder, Brianna Stanley leads the Terriers with a .545 batting average and recently was named the SoCon Player of the Week where she batted .571, added eight hits, 13 RBI, four runs scored, one double and four homers during the Sparkle City Classic. Stanley looks to continue growing in her career as she comes off a freshman season starting in 52 games and adding 53 hits along with seven homers. Stanley been part of the success of Wofford Softball, who currently sits 13-1 on the season and is a key player to watch for Tuesday's game.

Furman: Freshman Infielder, Frederick Eden leads the Paladins with a .389 batting average. 14 hits, 11 runs scored, one double, one triple, and adds 17 total bases. As Eden continues growing in her Furman tenure, she looks to continue stuffing the stat sheet as Furman travels to Hub City for doubleheader action on Wednesday at Cyrill Stadium. Eden will be a player to watch as she has added two mutli-hit games on the season against Tarleton State and Kennesaw State.

Troy: Junior Utility, Makaley Boswell leads the Trojans, batting .545 with 25 hits, 17 runs scored, nine doubles, two homeruns, 18 RBI, and .977 slugging percentage. Boswell has helped Troy with a 12-2 on the year and has added seven games with two hits or more, keeping a consistent flow at the plate. As Troy enters the Jane B. Moore Memorial, Boswell will be a player to watch as Troy is ranked #3 in the NCAA with a .422 batting average along with Boswell being ranked #18 with her batting average.

Virginia Tech: Sophomore Utility, Jordan Lynch leads the Hokies with a .489 batting average and has been a key part of the success of Virginia Tech as the Hokies are ranked #11 in Softball America rankings. Lynch was featured on the NFCA Top 25 Freshman of the Year Finalist (the same list Sophia Kardatzke was featured on) and has had three games with three or more hits on the year. As Virginia Tech prepares for five opportunities in the Plains, Lynch will be a player to keep an eye on.

Auburn: Senior Infielder, Destiny Rodriguez has entered her Auburn career fitting into their system after three seasons at the University of Tennessee. Rodriguez is tied first on the Tigers with five homeruns and adds a .424 batting average, 17 runs scored, 25 hits, 21 RBI, and a .729 slugging percentage. As Rodriguez continues to grow with Auburn as she is ranked #15 in the SEC with her homerun total and will look to be a factor in the Jane B. Moore Memorial with all teams being power hitting teams that change the game with one swing.

Up next for the Spartans

Following a loaded week, the Spartans prepare for a four-game slate in the Sunshine State where the Spartans will battle Central Michigan in a neutral site in Clearwater, Florida. Upstate will have a Friday doubleheader with Central Michigan on Friday, March 6 at 11:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M. EST along with wrapping up play with Sunday action at 11:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M. Eastern time.

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

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Players Mentioned

Ella Christopher

Sophia Kardatzke

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