NCAA Regional Rematch Awaits Baseball with First of Two Midweek Meetings with Clemson

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Facing a rematch of last season's NCAA Regional opener, USC Upstate baseball continues its extended road swing as it remains in the Upstate with a short trip to Clemson Tuesday (7 p.m. ET) for a midweek matchup. The Spartans and Tigers face off for the 15^th time—the first of two meetings in 2026—as Upstate seeks a fourth win against the Tigers since 2021.

Tuesday's Matchup
April 21, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (19-22; 8-10 Big South) vs. Clemson (25-16; 6-12 ACC)
Doug Kingsmore Stadium | Clemson, 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

How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (19-22; 8-10 Big South); Clemson (25-16; 6-12 ACC)
Series: Clemson leads 11-3
Last Five Meetings: May 30, 2025 (CLEM 7; UPST 3); Mar. 4, 2025 (CLEM 7; UPST 0); April 9, 2024 (UPST 9; CLEM 5); April 2, 2024 (CLEM 11; UPST 1 [7 inn.]); Feb. 27, 2024 (CLEM 12; UPST 6)

Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Clemson
RHP Reece Hemmerling (0-2; 3.48 ERA) | LHP Talan Bell (0-0; 9.78 ERA)

Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Entering Tuesday's midweek, redshirt senior second baseman Alex Ritzer carries a team-long eight-game hitting streak into the Spartans' meeting with Clemson. During his hitting streak, comprising his last nine games, he's fashioned a .541/.621/.625 three-slash line as he's gone 13-of-24 at the plate with two doubles and five walks. Ritzer posts a .347 batting average on the season at large, collecting three doubles, five RBI, eight runs, and four stolen bases.

Clemson: Sophomore catcher Nate Savoie paces the Tigers in all three slash line categories, posting a .341/.420/.640 slash line this season with team-highs in hits (56), RBI (44), and total bases (105). He ranks second on his club in home runs, slugging 13 this season, including two in Clemson's win last Friday at Virginia. Savoie enters Tuesday's game sporting a five-game hitting streak.

Up Next for the Spartans
Closing out its final extended road swing of the season, USC Upstate heads to the Yellowhammer State for the second time this year, facing Samford in a three-game weekend set. The Spartans and Bulldogs begin their non-conference series Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

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

TICKETS ON-SALE FOR SPARTY'S BALL – MAY 15^th
Support USC Upstate student-athletes at Sparty's Ball, the largest fundraising event of the year for the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF), to be held Friday, May 15, 2025, at The Piedmont Club. For tickets, sponsorship, and auction information, click here!

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Players Mentioned

Reece Hemmerling

Alex Ritzer

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