On the third day of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional, the USC Upstate Spartans faced a do-or-die elimination matchup against Oklahoma State, falling 12-1 but not without a fight.
It marked the first time the program had advanced to the third day of a regional tournament, capping a record-setting 64-game season that extended a streak of four consecutive seasons with at least 60 contests.
A Record Run Comes to an End
Offensively, redshirt freshman centerfielder Trey Bentley paced the Spartans with a pair of hits, the highlight coming in the ninth inning when his double plated Johnny Sweeney from first base.
The lineup also contributed single hits from redshirt sophomore shortstop Maloy Heaghney, senior leftfielder Preston Lucas and senior first baseman Wylie Waters, while Sweeney earned a free pass via a hit-by-pitch, the 31st of his season.
On the mound, relievers Jack Gibson and Juan Reyes combined for two scoreless innings, and sophomore right-hander Cayden Mackey matched his season high with four strikeouts over three innings of relief; veteran Andrew Kummer made his 27th appearance, tying for fifth-most in program history.
Oklahoma State’s bats proved relentless, with Campbell Smithwick launching a two-run homer in the second and adding another in the fourth, while the third inning exploded for seven runs, including three-run shots from Avery Ortiz and Remo Indomenico, followed by solo homers in the seventh.
Despite the loss, the Spartans’ performance underscored their ability to compete with elite college programs, leaving a foundation for future campaigns.