Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Rekindles as Baseball Hosts UNC Asheville for Three-Game Diamond Set

Friday, March 27

Spartanburg, S.C.

5:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

UNC Asheville

Jack Gibson 4th Inn. vs. Tennessee 2026 - EH

Photo by: Emma Hudson

3/26/2026 4:07:00 PM | Baseball

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Reprising the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series as the rivalry moves to the diamond, USC Upstate baseball returns home from a five-game road swing, hosting UNC Asheville for a three-game set at Cleveland S. Harley Park. The Spartans carry a 23-9-1 advantage in the series into the weekend against the Bulldogs, winning six straight behind sweeps each of the last two seasons.

Weekend Series
March 27-29, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (12-14; 3-3 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (13-12; 1-2 Big South)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.

TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM | Also available via the Fox Sports Spartanburg or TuneIn App

Promotions
Friday, March 27, 2026 - It's Free Dog Friday for the first 30 students! Claim your voucher at the marketing table and redeem after the 3rd inning.
Saturday, March 28, 2026 - Singo! Presented by Wings, ETC. Grab your card from the marketing table and play music bingo all game long to win prizes! Postgame, all kids 12 and under are invited to run on the same field as your Spartans for Kids Run the Bases!
All Weekend - Celebrate history being made last season with our 2025 Big South Championship Foam Ball Giveaway!

How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (12-14; 3-3 Big South); UNC Asheville (13-12; 1-2 Big South)
Series: USC Upstate leads 23-9-1
Last Five Meetings: May 17, 2025 (UPST 14; AVL 9); May 16, 2025 (UPST 7; AVL 5); May 15, 2025 (UPST 16; AVL 0 [7 inn.]); March 30, 2024 (UPST 7; AVL 6); March 29, 2024 (UPST 10; AVL 9)

Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | UNC Asheville
Game One: LHP Chris Torres (1-2; 7.07 ERA) | RHP Lucas Boesen (1-0; 5.47 ERA)
Game Two: RHP Brent Stukes (3-1; 6.14 ERA) | To Be Determined
Game Three: To Be Determined | To Be Determined

Players to Watch
USC Upstate
Pitcher: Working 4.0 scoreless innings for the Spartans last week across three appearances, redshirt freshman right-handed pitcher Jacob Kirby secured his sixth, seventh, and eighth scoreless appearances of the year—Upstate's leader last season had 12. He carries a 1.90 ERA and a .200 opponents' batting average over 23.2 innings into the weekend series. Kirby totals 15 strikeouts on the season, most among primary relievers for the Spartans.

Position Player: Recording a multi-hit game and at least one RBI in all four games last week, redshirt sophomore centerfielder Henry Zenor earned his first career Big South Player of the Week honor, slashing .529/.619/.706. Collecting nine hits last week, he registers 37 hits (1.42 per game) on the campaign, leading the Big South in hits—ranking 49th in the NCAA. Zenor supplements his hit total with six doubles, one home run, 19 RBI, and 25 runs scored while stealing four bags in five attempts.

UNC Asheville
Pitcher: Employed in a multitude of roles for the Bulldogs, including both out of the bullpen and as a starting pitcher in each of the past two weekends, redshirt freshman right-hander Drew Turner leads his squad with 33.0 innings pitched this season. He enters the weekend leading the Big South with 44 strikeouts, ranking 39^th in the NCAA in the category. He carries a team-best 3.00 ERA and .205 OBA into the series.

Position Player: Tied with Zenor for the league's lead in hits, sophomore catcher Blaize Johnson leads the Big South in batting average, hits, doubles, slugging percentage, and runs scored. He slashes .398/.504/.742 with 10 doubles, two triples, and six home runs while tallying 28 RBI and 30 runs scored. He also paces the Bulldogs with 19 walks and 20 total free bases.

Up Next for the Spartans
Bookending their three-game home series, Upstate follows its three home contests with another five on the road, beginning Tuesday at George Mason. The Spartans and Patriots meet for a 3 p.m. ET first pitch from Fairfax, Va.

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

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