University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Presbyterian
Upstate Softball hosts Presbyterian for their Big South Series Finale
4/30/2026 2:37:00 PM | Softball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to the Hawkins Field at the Cyrill Stadium with a special weekend ahead, USC Upstate Softball hosts Presbyterian College for the final weekend series in Big South Play ahead of the 2026 Big South Softball Championships. This weekend also marks Senior Weekend for the Spartans as five seniors will play their final regular season series.Â
OverviewÂ
With Upstate already clinching a spot in the 2026 Big South Softball Championships, seeding will be on the line for the Spartans. If Presbyterian claims one or two games in the series, the Blue Hose will have a shot at the #4 spot and if they are to sweep the weekend then Presbyterian will climb to the #2 spot. For Upstate, they currently sit at the #2 spot and will look to hold their spot with a sweep or a series win. USC Upstate (31-20; 10-5 Big South) will coincidently be the host of the Big South Softball Championships and Presbyterian (19-28; 7-8 Big South) will look to return to Spartanburg for the tournament the following, which would be their first appearance since 2022. Friday's highly anticipated doubleheader will stream live on ESPN+ while Saturday will be live stats only. Â
This Weekend's MatchupÂ
May 1, 2026| 3:00 P.M. ESTÂ
May 1, 2026| 5:00 P.M. ESTÂ
May 2, 2026| 1:00 P.M. ESTÂ
USC Upstate Spartans (31-20; 10-5 Big South) vs. Presbyterian Blue Hose (19-28; 7-8Â Big South)Â
Location:Â Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium|Â Spartanburg, S.C.Â
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App (Game One and Two)Â
Game Three: Live Stats Only (!)Â
Senior DayÂ
The Senior Day ceremony will feature five Seniors being recognized at the conclusion of Game Three of the Series on Saturday, May 2. The five Seniors to be recognized will be Ella Christopher, Maddie Drerup, Carson Shaw, Amie Johnson and Taliyah Thomas. Â
How they Stack UpÂ
All-Time Series: USC Upstate leads 21-3Â
Last Five Matchups: Mar. 15, 2025 (PC 2; UPSTÂ 1);Â Mar. 14, 2025 (PC 8; UPST 6); Mar. 14, 2025 (UPST 7; PC 2); Apr. 13, 2024 (UPST 14; PC 1); Apr. 13, 2024Â (UPST 2; PC 1)Â
Players to WatchÂ
USC Upstate: Redshirt Freshman Catcher, Laney Jennings has continued to prove that she contributes in the lineup batting .300 on the year while adding 45 hits, 35 runs scored, seven doubles, six home runs, 32 RBI and five stolen bases. Jennings adds eight multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games on the year. Tied for first on the team in homers, Jennings has shown that she can flip the momentum with one swing at bat to add success for Upstate. Defensively, Jennings' timing on throws has caused many runners to get caught stealing as she threw out four runners in last Saturday's doubleheader at Charleston Southern. As Upstate takes the field for the final home regular season series, Laney Jennings be a player to keep an eye on.Â
Presbyterian: Freshman Infielder, Hali Duke has made the most of her first season of collegiate play leading the Blue Hose with a .404 batting average, 57 hits, 33 RBI, two home runs, one triple, 13 doubles while adding six stolen bases. Duke is tied first on Presbyterian with 14 multi-hit games and leads with eight multi-RBI performances. In the record setting offensive performance of 19 hits against Gardner-Webb, Hali Duke added a 3-for-6 performance on a five-RBI Day with two runs scored and two doubles. As the pitching staff of Upstate prepares for the Blue Hose, Hali Duke will be a player to keep an eye on.Â
Up next for the SpartansÂ
Wrapping up regular season play, Upstate Softball will await the official announcement from the Big South with official seeding as the 2026 Big South Softball Championships will be held on the Hawkins Field at Cyrill Stadium on May 6-9 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Â
USC UPSTATE TO HOST 2026 BIG SOUTH SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Buy your tickets now for the 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.)                Â
TICKETS ON-SALE FOR SPARTY'S BALL – MAY 15th             Â
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!   Â
