Baseball Treks Across the Mississippi River for First Time in Program History, Meeting No. 3 Texas for Three-Game Set

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – For the first time in program history, USC Upstate baseball treks across the Mississippi River, concluding its nine-game road swing with a three-game weekend set at No. 3 Texas. The first-ever meetings between the Spartans and Longhorns close a four-game stretch for Upstate against foes from the Southeastern Conference.

Weekend Series
March 6-8, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (7-7; 0-0 Big South) vs. No. 3 Texas (12-0; 0-0 SEC)
UFCU Disch-Falk Field | Austin, Texas

How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (7-7; 0-0 Big South); Texas (12-0; 0-0 SEC)
Series: First Meetings
Last Five Meetings: First Meetings

Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Texas
Game One: LHP Chris Torres (0-1; 8.25 ERA) | RHP Rugar Riojas (3-0; 1.12 ERA)
Game Two: RHP Brent Stukes (2-1; 6.28 ERA) | LHP Luke Harrison (1-0; 2.77 ERA)
Game Three: RHP Max Bianchini (1-1; 7.43 ERA) | LHP Dylan Volantis (2-0; 0.48 ERA)

Players to Watch
USC Upstate
Pitcher: Opening his career with four straight scoreless outings, redshirt freshman right-handed pitcher Jacob Kirby captured his second consecutive Big South Relief Pitcher of the Week nod Monday. He boasts a 0.00 ERA over 12.0 innings of work, striking out seven while limiting foes to a .171 batting average. Kirby last pitched on Feb. 28 versus Georgia Southern, tossing 2.0 innings while allowing one hit and striking out one.

Position Player: Collecting his team-lead-tying sixth multi-hit effort of the year with a pair of hits Tuesday at South Carolina, redshirt sophomore catcher Tyler Lang upped his team-best batting average to .441. He leads the Spartans and ranks second in the Big South with five doubles this year, registering a two-bagger in his two-hit night against the Gamecocks. Lang complements his batting average with eight RBI and seven runs scored.

Texas
Pitcher: Taking the ball for the Longhorns Friday evening, senior right-handed pitcher Ruger Riojas enters his fourth start of the season ranked fourth in the NCAA with 30 strikeouts. He's punched out at least nine hitters in all three of his outings, adding a strikeout in each, culminating with a career-high 11 strikeouts last Friday versus Coastal Carolina. He sports a 1.12 ERA and .127 opponents' batting average over 16.0 innings this season.

Position Player: Claiming the Longhorns' second Southeastern Conference weekly award, redshirt senior infielder Temo Becerra captured co-Player of the Week honors from the league Monday. He led Texas with a .500 batting average, two doubles, three home runs, seven RBI, and eight runs scored in an undefeated week. He enters play on the weekend posting a .333 batting average with three home runs and 13 RBI.

Up Next for the Spartans
Upon conclusion of the team's nine-game road swing, USC Upstate returns to the Hub City for a midweek contest against crosstown rival Wofford on March 10. The Spartans and Terriers clash at Fifth Third Park, home of the Hub City Spartanburgers, next Tuesday with a 6:00 p.m. ET first pitch.

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

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Players Mentioned

Max Bianchini

Jacob Kirby

Tyler Lang

Brent Stukes

Chris Torres

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