Baseball Seeks Another Ninth-Inning Rally, Falls Short of Extras in 4-2 Walk-off Setback at No. 20 Tennessee

Tuesday, March 24

Knoxville, Tenn.

6:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

12-14

Tennessee

18-7

USC Upstate

Tennessee

Photo by: Emma Hudson

3/24/2026 9:43:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Seeking a third straight midweek victory as it played its sixth and final game against Southeastern Conference competition this season, USC Upstate baseball nearly accomplished its objective, holding the momentum until the game's final swing in a 4-2 setback Tuesday evening against No. 21 Tennessee.

Striking first, the Spartans took advantage of three walks issued by Volunteer starter Taylor Tracey—doubling his season free pass total—as senior catcher Preston Lucas drove home the game's first tally as he beat out a groundball hit up the middle, avoiding an inning-ending double play.

The run proved the lone tally until the seventh inning when Tennessee capitalized with the bases loaded, plating two to wrestle away the lead. The Spartans, unfazed, battle back to tie the game in the ninth behind back-to-back doubles from Lucas and redshirt freshman leftfielder Trey Bentley, tying the game on Bentley's RBI.

With two outs in the ninth, the Volunteers' Blake Grimmer delivered a walk-off two-run home run, creating the day's final margin.

Helping Upstate grasp the game's momentum, the Spartan pitching combined for six straight scoreless innings to begin the game and seven total scoreless frames. Making his first career start in an Upstate uniform, junior right-handed pitcher Nathan Hook fashioned two scoreless frames—his longest outing as a Spartan, scattering one hit while striking out one.

Turning the game over to the bullpen, junior left-hander Jack Gibson and senior righty Reece Hemmerling followed Hook's lead with 2.0 scoreless innings apiece, combining to strike out three hitters.

Backing the pitching, redshirt senior third baseman Jake Armsey and Bentley recorded two hits apiece. Lucas and fifth-year senior first baseman Johnny Sweeney collected the other hits for the Spartans.

Game Information
Score: No. 20 Tennessee 4; USC Upstate 2
Records: USC Upstate (12-14; 3-3 Big South); Tennessee (18-7; 3-3 SEC)
Location: Lindsey Nelson Stadium | Knoxville, Tenn.

How It Happened

T1: Taking advantage of three walks in the frame, Upstate scratched the day's first run as Preston Lucas bounded a ball up the middle, hustling down the line to avoid the double play and score Henry Zenor from third.
B7: Batting with the bases loaded, Tennessee's Blaine Brown drove home a pair with a single back through the middle, delivering the Volunteers their first lead of the night.
T9: Using back-to-back doubles from Preston Lucas and Trey Bentley down opposite foul lines, Upstate fought back to tie the contest as Bentley drove home Lucas.
B9: Exiting the yard to right-center, Blake Grimmer's two-run walk-off homer capped off the day's scoring for the Volunteers.

Notable

Taking the ball for the Spartans from the first to fourth frames, Nathan Hook and Jack Gibson turned in their longest career outings, working 2.0 scoreless innings apiece.
Putting forth a third straight scoreless outing to begin his Upstate tenure, Gibson joins Jacob Kirby and Andrew Kummer as the lone Spartans to turn in three or more scoreless appearances to begin their season.

Up Next for the Spartans
Returning home to Cleveland S. Harley Park, USC Upstate hosts UNC Asheville as the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series heads to the diamond. The Spartans and Bulldogs begin their three-game set Friday at 5:00 p.m. ET.

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!