Baseball Completes Second Straight Comeback, Scoring Eight Unanswered Runs to Sink Northern Kentucky

Friday, May 15

Spartanburg, S.C.

6:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

28-27

Northern Kentucky

25-27

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Northern Kentucky	5	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	7	8	0
USC Upstate	0	0	0	0	5	1	0	2	X	8	9	0

Max Bianchini Strikeout Celebration 7th Inn. vs. Northern Kentucky Gm 1 2026 - NM

Photo by: Natalia Moll

5/15/2026 11:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – After walking its foe off in extra innings to begin the regular season's final weekend, USC Upstate baseball's comeback trend continued Friday night, erasing a seven-run deficit and scoring eight unanswered runs in an 8-7 victory over Northern Kentucky at Cleveland S. Harley Park.

Scoring the go-ahead run in Thursday's walk-off against Elon, senior leftfielder Preston Lucas took his opportunity to drive home the winning run for the Spartans. With one run already in, tying the game in the eighth inning, Lucas stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, drawing a four-pitch walk to push across the final of Upstate's eight unanswered runs.

The Spartans' comeback attempt began three innings earlier with a five-spot in the fifth inning. Seven consecutive hitters reached base in the frame, leading to the five runs. Redshirt freshman centerfielder Trey Bentley provided the biggest hit of the stanza, doubling off the top of the wall in center, clearing the loaded bases.

Entering the game with Upstate trailing by a run, 7-6, in the top of the seventh, redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Max Bianchini held Northern Kentucky in check, limiting the Norse to three hits over the final three frames. He fashioned his third consecutive scoreless outing while striking out a career-high-tying five batters—the most in a relief appearance in his career.

As a pitching staff, Upstate struck out a season-high 15 batters, its most since punching out 15 against High Point on April 5, 2025. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Max Kaplan, Friday's starter, tied his season-high with seven strikeouts, accruing the total across 4.0 innings of work. Following Kaplan, junior righty Wyatt Land struck out a career-high three batters over 2.0 innings.

Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 8; Northern Kentucky 7
Records: USC Upstate (28-27; 13-11 Big South); Northern Kentucky (25-27; 12-12 Horizon)
Location: Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.

How It Happened

T1: Building its early advantage, Northern Kentucky launched three home runs in the opening inning, scoring five runs. Pierce Bauerle led the game off with a solo shot for the Norse before a three-run homer from Ethan Thomas, and a solo homer from Landon Springmeyer added to the lead.
T4: Adding another run to the lead, the Norse's Alex Brazer hit a solo shot to right.
T5: Ensuring that each of Northern Kentucky's runs came via the home run, Jake Paulick launched a solo shot to rightfield.
B5: Beginning its comeback with a five-run frame of its own, Upstate scratched its first run as Maloy Heaghney ripped a single through the left side, scoring Alex Ritzer. Later in the inning, Johnny Sweeney drew an HBP with the bases loaded to push home another run. Completing the five-run inning, Trey Bentley cleared the bases with a double off the top of the wall in centerfield.
B6: Drawing the Spartans within a run, Tyler Lang picked up an RBI with a single off the pitcher.
B8: Tying the game, Upstate's Maloy Heaghney doubled off the wall in left-center, sending Henry Zenor home from first. Following an intentional walk to Jake Armsey to load the bases, the Norse issued a four-pitch walk to Preston Lucas, pushing across the go-ahead and game-winning run for the Spartans.

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