Photo by: Natalia Moll
Baseball Adds Two More Weekly Awards to Yearly Haul as Max Bianchini and Jacob Kirby Bring Home Big South Relief Pitcher and Freshman of the Week Honors
5/18/2026 3:30:00 PM | Baseball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For the third straight season, USC Upstate baseball finds itself with a Big South Conference Weekly award winner following the season's final weekend, seeing a pair of honorees as Max Bianchini and Jacob Kirby captured Relief Pitcher and Freshman of the Week nods as the league announced its weekly winners Monday.
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Bianchini, a native of Schaumburg, Ill., appeared twice last week for the Spartans, earning wins in both appearances. In outings against Clemson and Northern Kentucky, he combined for 5.0 scoreless frames, generating seven strikeouts. Tuesday against the Tigers, he tossed 2.0 innings, allowing one hit and two baserunners while striking out two, earning the win. Returning against the Norse, he worked 3.0 innings with five strikeouts, including a huge strikeout to leave the bases loaded in the seventh, allowing Upstate to complete its comeback.
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A Waxhaw, N.C. native, Kirby, made two appearances for the Spartans, earning the victory in Saturday's regular-season finale. Pitching against Clemson and Northern Kentucky, he tossed 7.0 innings, permitting one run while striking out five. Against the Tigers Tuesday, he worked 3.0 innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. He returned to the mound Saturday, working 4.0 innings, scattering four hits and one run with three strikeouts as Upstate completed another late-inning comeback.
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For Bianchini, his latest Big South Relief Pitcher of the Week nod stands as the second of his career, becoming the sixth different Spartan reliever to earn the honor multiple times. Capturing his third honor of the season, Kirby's Big South Freshman of the Week nod marks the first of his career in the category.
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Connect with the SpartansÂ
Facebook.com/UpstateAthleticsÂ
Twitter | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartansÂ
Instagram | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartansÂ
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!
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Bianchini, a native of Schaumburg, Ill., appeared twice last week for the Spartans, earning wins in both appearances. In outings against Clemson and Northern Kentucky, he combined for 5.0 scoreless frames, generating seven strikeouts. Tuesday against the Tigers, he tossed 2.0 innings, allowing one hit and two baserunners while striking out two, earning the win. Returning against the Norse, he worked 3.0 innings with five strikeouts, including a huge strikeout to leave the bases loaded in the seventh, allowing Upstate to complete its comeback.
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A Waxhaw, N.C. native, Kirby, made two appearances for the Spartans, earning the victory in Saturday's regular-season finale. Pitching against Clemson and Northern Kentucky, he tossed 7.0 innings, permitting one run while striking out five. Against the Tigers Tuesday, he worked 3.0 innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. He returned to the mound Saturday, working 4.0 innings, scattering four hits and one run with three strikeouts as Upstate completed another late-inning comeback.
Â
For Bianchini, his latest Big South Relief Pitcher of the Week nod stands as the second of his career, becoming the sixth different Spartan reliever to earn the honor multiple times. Capturing his third honor of the season, Kirby's Big South Freshman of the Week nod marks the first of his career in the category.
Â
Connect with the SpartansÂ
Facebook.com/UpstateAthleticsÂ
Twitter | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartansÂ
Instagram | @UpstateBSB | @UpstateSpartansÂ
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!
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