SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Taking the field for a new season, Upstate Softball began day one of the Founders Classic hosting Saint Francis in game one where the Spartans opened with run rule fashion, dominating the Red Flash with a 12-1 final. The action continued with a game two battle against Towson University where the matchup went to extra innings with the Tigers overcoming the Spartans with a 9-8 final. Upstate combined for 22 hits through both games and 20 runs.
Game One vs. Towson (12-1, Win)
The Spartans came into the opening game with Senior, Taliyah Thomas picking up where she left with a leadoff single and stealing second. Laney Jennings made her first at bat count, smacking her first collegiate hit past second base, advancing Taliyah Thomas home for the first run. Alyssa Davenport followed the recipe of starting her collegiate career off the right way doubling to left center advancing Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan and Jennings to home plate for two more runs. Maddie Drerup returned to the circle in the top of the second inning, controlling the game striking out the first two batters followed by a flyout to center field. Upstate's offense began to push the momentum fully on their side with Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan taking advantage of having two runners in scoring position with an RBI single past second base. With Bernal-Mahagan on second base after a delayed steal, Carson Shaw's RBI double to left field extended Upstate's lead to 6-0. With Abby Polk on base from a walk and Cariana Stout as a pinch runner, Ella Christopher entered the fray with her first at bat as a Spartan doubling to right center advancing both runners' home. As the lineup turned back to the top in the inning, Emily Stern singled up the middle, giving Upstate a 10-0 lead going into the top of the fourth. Saint Francis did not go away quietly, adding a solo shot out of the park, cutting their deficit to nine. Opening the bottom of the fourth, the firepower for Upstate continued to display in front of the Spartan Army as Alyssa Davenport added her second, resulting in Carson Shaw taking her opportunity on the following play advancing home from a wild pitch. Ella Christopher followed with a sacrifice fly for the final run of the game ending the battle in a run rule.
Game Two vs. Towson (9-8, Loss)
Towson entered their second game of the day, opening the top of the first, a two-run homer taking an early 2-0 lead. Chloe Poteete ended the inning with her first collegiate strikeout to go in the bottom of the first. Upstate opened with Taliyah Thomas leading off with an infield single followed by Carson Shaw adding a single to right center getting Emily Stern in scoring position. The Tigers escaped the inning keeping Upstate scoreless. Chloe Poteete entered the top of the second inning, resulting in striking out two batters and keeping Towson at two. Upstate tied the battle with the Spartans taking advantage of two throwing errors resulting in Abby Polk and Alyssa Davenport advancing home. Towson regained the lead following a double down the right field line, and an RBI single up the middle. Towson increased their deficit to three adding another double to left center, but the Spartans continued showing flashes of a comeback as Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan entered as a pinch hitter resulting in an RBI single. Towson took advantage keeping their bats hot with their second home run of the evening followed by multiple walks and a hit by pitch extending their lead to 7-3. Going into the bottom of the fifth, Ella Christopher returned the favor adding the first Upstate homerun of the 2026 season going yardto left field to trail by two. The momentum continued shifting as Chloe Poteete kept Towson at seven with two runners left on base for a strikeout. Upstate followed Carson Shaw adding an RBI single in the infield sending Taliyah Thomas home followed Alyssa Davenport's RBI single up the middle for Molly Vaughn to slide into home plate, tying the game at seven. Going into extra innings, a triple to left field advanced two runners home from Towson to regain the lead. Upstate responded with Ella Christopher adding a single to right center for their eighth run but the following play lined out in the infield, resulting in Towson winning 9-8.
Notable
Up next for the Spartans
The Spartans return for Day two of the Founders Classic wrapping up play in opening weekend with an afternoon matchup against Ohio followed by taking on Saint Francis. The matchup against Ohio is slated to begin at 3:00 P.M. followed by a 5:30 P.M. matchup.
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