A historic night for the Spartans
USC Upstate’s baseball team etched a milestone into its program history on Tuesday, securing its first-ever win in the NCAA Tournament by defeating Oklahoma State. The victory propelled the Spartans into the winner’s bracket, setting the stage for a clash with the champion of the Alabama versus Alabama State matchup.
The game unfolded as the Spartans capitalized on a series of early miscues by Oklahoma State’s starter. Walks, wild pitches and defensive errors turned into crucial runs, allowing Upstate to build a lead without a single extra-base hit in the early innings.
Wylie Waters sparked the offense, scoring the fourth run of the day after a home run was controversially ruled a ground‑rule double. Jake Armsey followed with an RBI single in the third inning, while Brent Stukes earned his eighth win of the season, tying him for third place on the school’s single‑season pitcher win list.
Johnny Sweeney contributed by drawing his team‑leading 30th hit‑by‑pitch of the year, underscoring the team’s patience at the plate. Head coach Kane Sweeney’s strategic adjustments not only secured the win but also tied him with John Daurity for the most victories by an Upstate skipper in his first two seasons.
Looking ahead
The Spartans now await the winner of the Alabama versus Alabama State contest, a matchup that promises another test of their newfound momentum. With a blend of disciplined pitching, timely hitting and a resilient clubhouse culture, Upstate is poised to make a deeper run in the tournament.