Upstate Softball hosts SC State for their final non-conference midweek battle of the season

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the week in the final two weeks of the regular season for USC Upstate Softball, the Spartans host South Carolina State for the final midweek doubleheader of the 2026 season on Wednesday, April 22 live on ESPN+.

Overview

The two programs meet for the first time since February 21, 2025 where the Spartans won in run rule fashion with a 10-0 final. USC Upstate (28-18; 8-4 Big South) looks to push add their fifth consecutive 30-win season on the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium where Upstate battles South Carolin State (17-17; 10-8 MEAC) will look to add their first wins over USC Upstate in program history. The Spartans are fresh off a bye weekend following going 3-0 during the week of Apr. 13-17 with a sweep over ETSU and a 6-2 win over Wofford. SC State comes off a series sweep where the Bulldogs fell to Delaware State, only being allowed one run through three games.

Wednesday's Matchup

Apr. 22, 2026| 3:00 P.M. EST

Apr. 22, 2026| 5:00 P.M. EST

USC Upstate Spartans (28-18; 8-4 Big South) vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs (17-17; 10-8 MEAC)

Location: Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium| Spartanburg, South Carolina

TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App

How they Stack Up

All-time series vs. SC State: USC Upstate leads 18-0

Last five matchups: Feb. 21, 2025 (UPST 10; SCSU 0); Apr. 24, 2024 (UPST 8; SCSU 0); Apr. 24, 2024 (UPST 14; SCSU 1); Feb. 11, 2024 (UPST 7; SCSU 1); Mar. 15, 2023 (UPST 8; SCSU 0)

Players to Watch

USC Upstate: Junior Utility, Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan continues to be an important player in the lineup at the DP position with timely hits that can shift the game and clear the bases. Bernal-Mahagan batted .556 during the week of Apr. 13-19 going 5-for-9 at the plate and adding her fourth game with three hits where she led going 3-for-4 in the April 15th win against Wofford. Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan is fourth on the team batting .325 while adding a .488 slugging percentage, 35 RBI (second on the team), eight doubles and four home runs. Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan has shown that she can help shift the momentum for Upstate and play whatever role is needed due to her versatility, adding three sacrifice bunts and four sacrifice flies. As Upstate makes their return to the field for their final midweek doubleheader, Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan will be a player to keep an eye on through both games.

SC State: Freshman, Dallas Hill has begun her collegiate career with a memorable freshman season leading the Bulldogs batting .388, 38 hits, nine doubles, nine home runs, 41 RBI, and a .755 slugging percentage. Hill adds nine multi-hit games on the season along with leading SC State with 14 multi-RBI games (11 with two, two with three, one with four). Hill has shown she can get her rhythm going for a lengthy stretch, having her longest hitting streak at 11. As Hill looks to put the Bulldogs back in the win column, she will a player to keep an eye on through the Wednesday doubleheader.

Up next for the Spartans

Following the midweek finale, USC Upstate Softball makes their final road trip in Big South play to the Lowcountry taking on Charleston Southern beginning with a Friday evening matchup at 4:00 P.M. Eastern time and following with a Saturday afternoon doubleheader on Saturday at 1:00 & 3:00 P.M. Eastern time.

USC UPSTATE TO HOST 2026 BIG SOUTH SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Buy your tickets now for 2026 Big South Softball Championship to be held at Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium. The event will be held May 6-9 and for more information and tickets, click here. (A clear bag policy will be enforced for this event.)

TICKETS ON-SALE FOR SPARTY'S BALL – MAY 15th
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, 2026 at The Piedmont Club. For tickets, sponsorship and auction information, click here!

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Players Mentioned

Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan

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