University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Western Carolina
Upstate Softball begins week with a road trip to Cullowhee for Tuesday action at Western Carolina
3/23/2026 2:05:00 PM | Softball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the week, Upstate Softball continues the season and returns to road play, making a pit stop to Cullowhee for Tuesday evening non-conference doubleheader action with Western Carolina.
Wednesday's Matchup
Mar. 24, 2026| 3:00 P.M. EST
Mar. 24, 2026| 5:00 P.M. EST
USC Upstate Spartans (20-11; 3-0 Big South) vs. Western Carolina Catamounts (19-9; 3-0 SoCon)
Location: Catamount Softball Complex| Cullowhee, North Carolina
(!) Both games will be Live Stats Only
How they stack up
All-Time series: USC Upstate leads 30-3
Last Five Meetings: Apr. 15, 2025 (UPST 16; WCU 3); Apr. 10, 2024 (UPST 6; WCU 4); Mar. 1, 2023 (UPST 6; WCU 2); Mar. 1, 2023 (UPST 5; WCU 1); Apr. 6, 2022 (UPST 3; WCU 1)
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Sophomore Outfielder, Sophia Kardatzke has made her long-awaited return to the lineup after missing the first 28 games of the season due to a knee injury. Kardatzke returned in the conference opening weekend series against Radford where she batted 5-for-9, leading Upstate with a .556 batting average while adding two doubles, one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base. As she continues to find her rhythm back in the lineup, Kardatzke looks to continue to add her impact at the plate and in the outfield.
Western Carolina: Junior Infielder, Maya McPherson leads the Catamounts batting .474 at the plate, 45 hits, 24 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, 38 RBI, 10 home runs and .884 slugging percentage. McPherson has led Western Carolina with 18 multi-hit games, including 14 games with two hits, three games with three, and one with four. In the weekend series with Furman, McPherson finished the series going 7-for-10 at the plate, four runs scored, three home runs, and five RBI. As McPherson looks to break the streak against Upstate, she will be a player to keep an eye on through both games.
Up next for the Spartans
Continuing road play, Upstate Softball heads to Farmville, Virginia for a three-game weekend series in Big South play with Longwood University beginning on Friday, March 27th at 5:00 P.M. Eastern time. The series will continue Saturday, March 28th with doubleheader action at 1:00 & 3:30 P.M. Eastern time.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateSoftball @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateSoftball @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!
