Behind Strong Bullpen Effort, Baseball Rallies for Two in the Ninth, Downing Longwood 5-4 in Series Opener

Friday, March 20

Farmville, Va.

6:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

12-11, 0

Longwood

15-7, 0

USC Upstate

Longwood

Photo by: Ryan Frye

3/20/2026 10:58:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – For the second time in as many games this week, USC Upstate baseball found a way to win, rallying back to with the go-ahead run in the ninth inning. The Spartans scratched a pair of runs in the final frame, fighting back to earn a 5-4 victory in Friday's series opener at Longwood.

Bridging the game to the offense in the ninth, Upstate's bullpen proved the stars for the second consecutive contest. Senior right-handed pitcher Reece Hemmerling, redshirt freshman righty Jacob Kirby, and sophomore left-hander Max Kaplan combined to toss 3.0 scoreless frames while allowing two hits and four total baserunners.

Inheriting a pair of baserunners in the eighth—the first inherited runners he's faced this season—Kirby proceeded the strike out a pair and retire three straight runners en route to the win. Kaplan entered the game in the ninth, earning his second save of the season behind a clean frame.

Starting on the mound, junior left-handed pitcher Chris Torres turned in his first quality start of the campaign, working 6.0 innings while striking out six in his longest outing of the season.

At the plate, redshirt sophomore shortstop Maloy Heaghney continued his hot week at the plate, driving home two more RBI, upping his weekly total to eight. Fifth-year senior designated hitter Johnny Sweeney and redshirt sophomore centerfielder Henry Zenor each collected two hits.

Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 5; Longwood 4
Records: USC Upstate (12-11; 3-1 Big South); Longwood (15-7; 1-3 Big South)
Location: Buddy Bolding Stadium | Farmville, Va.

How It Happened

B1: Getting on the board first, Longwood's Tre Keels launched a three-run home run to left-center.
B2: Using a pair of sacrifices, the Lancers scratched another tally behind a sac fly from Brogan Jones.
T5: Shooting a ball back through the box and against the shift, Henry Zenor plated the Spartans' first run of the night, scoring Kenan Bowman from second.
T6: Pulling Upstate closer, Johnny Sweeney laced a solo shot into the tree in right, just missing the scoreboard.
T7: Loading the bases behind the free pass, the Spartans used a free pass issued to Maloy Heaghney to scratch their third run.
T9: Jumping on the first pitch he saw, Maloy Heaghney dropped a double into the left-center gap allowing pinch runners Trey Bentley and Alex Ritzer to score, the tying and go-ahead runs.

Notable

Scoring a pair of runs in the ninth, Upstate fought back to earn its second straight ninth-inning comeback victory.
In the Spartans' two comeback wins, the bullpen has stranded seven straight runners as Jacob Kirby stranded a pair Friday—the first inherited runners he's faced this season.

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

INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!