The USC Upstate Spartans delivered a commanding 18‑6 victory over Winthrop in the 2026 Big South Baseball Championship, marking the tournament’s first-ever run‑rule win and cementing the team’s ascent under head coach Kane Sweeney.
Leadoff hitter Henry Zenor sparked the onslaught with a solo homer, the first such blast for the program since 2022, and later added three doubles that tied the school’s single‑game record while helping the squad post ten doubles — a Division I era high.
Jake Armsey contributed two run‑scoring doubles, driving in five runs, while Wylie Waters capped the barrage with a grand slam that landed on the top of the video board in left‑center, a moment that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
On the mound, Reece Hemmerling turned in a career‑high six strikeouts over his longest relief outing, delivering masterful pitching that steadied the game after early pressure and preserved the lead.
A night of records
The win extends Upstate’s current streak to eight games, the longest under Sweeney, and propels the team into Saturday’s winner‑bracket matchup against the victor of the High Point versus Charleston Southern showdown, scheduled for 9 a.m. ET.
With the championship picture taking shape, the Spartans’ blend of power hitting, clutch pitching and relentless momentum promises a compelling continuation of their historic run.