Jack Gallagher ripped a grand slam in the ninth inning and a bases clearing double in the second to ignite a pair of five-run innings as USC Upstate beat Clemson University Tuesday, 12-2, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Upstate remains unbeaten at 10-0 and Clemson is 5-5. The Spartans won their 20th in a row dating to last season. It’s the fourth time this season Upstate has scored 10 or more runs.
The Spartans scored a run in the first inning and added five runs on five hits in the top of the second inning, highlighted by Jason Matthews’ two-run double and Gallagher’s three-run double.
Upstate scored an unearned run in the sixth inning and added five more highlighted by Gallagher’s blast in the ninth. Gallagher led the Spartans’ 12-hit attack by going 3-for-5 with seven RBIs.
Six Upstate pitchers were used strategically used by second-year Head Baseball Coach Mike McGuire. Clemson managed nine hits.
Sean Hupp (1-0) earned the win, as he gave up one hit and no runs in 1.1 innings pitched. Sawyer Worrell, a freshman, started and surrendered four hits in two innings pitched allowing one run.
Following Hupp was Jake Cubbler, freshman, pitching three innings, Nate Payne, sophomore, .2 inning, Kevin Davis, sophomore, 1.1, and Trey Miller, freshman, getting the final two outs.
Spartans’ Jason Mathews hit a two-run double and Devin Buckner and Cameron MacIntosh added an RBI single each
It’s the first time the Spartans have defeated Clemson in four meetings dating to 2009. Upstate plays its second game of the series May 5 at Clemson.
USC Upstate versus Clemson series
• March 9, 2021, won 12-2
• May 14, 2013, lost 8-7 • April 21, 2010, lost 22-4
• March 18, 2009, lost 14-0
The Spartans, 3-0 Big South, get back into conference play with a three-game series versus Campbell University, 2-1 conference, 7-4 overall, at Buies Creek, N.C., with a single game on Friday and doubleheader on Saturday.
Comments