USC Upstate Falls to Clemson in NCAA Regional Opener
By USC Upstate Athletics
CLEMSON, S.C. - Opening NCAA Regionals in the Clemson Bracket, USC Upstate took the field against No. 11 seed Clemson University where the Spartans opened the gate with much momentum, but the Tigers were able to use a hot fifth inning at bat to halt Upstate with a 10-2 win.
The action picked up the Spartans providing a challenge defensively as a ball hit to Abby Polk turned into a connection Liza Simmerson and Carson Shaw for the double play. Upstate's offense began to find their rhythm at the plate with three consecutive hits from Abby Polk, Abigail Pippen, and Amie Johnson. Clemson held off the Spartans from sending any runners home leaving three on base and keeping Upstate scoreless going into the bottom of the second.
The Tigers opened the bottom of the inning with a base hit and a sacrifice bunt moving a runner over to second. Clemson followed with a single to left center opening the scoring column for the first run. As the Tigers looked to continue their offense, Alanna Deal fielded the ball clean connecting with Liza Simmerson and Carson Shaw for Upstate's second double play through two innings. The Spartans used their momentum to come into the top of the third with Taliyah Thomas leading off with an infield single followed by Alanna Deal doubling to right center advancing Thomas home for the tying run. Sophia Kardatzke followed with a base hit putting Clemson in a bind to field the ball clean putting another runner on base. The Spartans took the lead with Carson Shaw's sacrifice fly to left field sending Alanna Deal home, bringing the score 2-1.
Clemson used the following two innings to even the playing field with a lead off walk and a double to left center tying the game at two. The Tigers followed taking the lead with a three-run homer to left field putting the Tigers ahead 5-2. Upstate looked to respond with Abigail Pippen being walked to first and Amie Johnson adding a two-out single but the Tigers cooled off the bats from Upstate going into the bottom of the fifth. The Tigers drove in five runs on five hits to overcome the early firepower of Upstate to win in five innings and move to the Winner's bracket game against Northwestern.
Sophia Kardatzke and Amie Johnson both went 2-for-3 at bat followed by Kardatzke adding a stolen base. Sierra Maness started in the circle pitching four innings and striking out three batters on 80 total pitches.
USC Upstate Softball will take on SEC Opponent, University of Kentucky in the elimination game at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 17th live on ESPN+. The winner of the elimination game will move on to the 6:30 P.M. matchup to take on the loser of the Clemson vs. Northwestern game.