The Upstate Spartans softball team concluded a busy week at the Jane B. Moore Memorial Invite in Auburn, Alabama, with a pair of contests against #12 Virginia Tech and Auburn University. The Spartans fell to Virginia Tech in a 11-3 decision and were narrowly defeated by Auburn, 2-1.
Game One vs. Virginia Tech
Upstate started strong against the Hokies, with Taliyah Thomas reaching base on a leadoff hit and scoring on an RBI single by Laney Jennings. Virginia Tech responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, and then added six more over the next two innings, building a 10-1 lead. The Spartans rallied in the top of the third as Thomas recorded her second hit of the game, followed by Alyssa Davenport’s first collegiate home run, narrowing the gap to 10-3. However, Virginia Tech ended the game via the run rule with an RBI double, securing an 11-3 victory.
Game Two vs. Auburn
In a tightly contested game against Auburn, freshman Anna Dickinson made her first collegiate start in the circle. Auburn broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second with a sacrifice fly. Upstate answered in the fourth inning when Taliyah Thomas reached base and stole second, setting up an RBI single by Mackenzei Bernal-Mahagan to tie the game. Auburn regained the lead in the bottom of the inning with an infield fly. Despite loading the bases in a late attempt to tie the game, with Thomas and Abby Polk both stealing bases, the Spartans were unable to score, as Auburn closed out the game with two strikeouts for a 2-1 win.
Upstate will continue play with a four-game slate in Clearwater, Florida, battling Central Michigan in a neutral site. The Spartans will play a doubleheader on Friday, March 6, at 11:00 A.M. And 1:00 P.M. EST, followed by two more games on Sunday at the same times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game against Virginia Tech?
The final score of the game against Virginia Tech was 11-3, with Virginia Tech winning.
Who hit the first collegiate home run for Upstate during the tournament?
Alyssa Davenport hit her first collegiate home run against Virginia Tech.
What is Upstate’s next series?
Upstate will play a four-game series against Central Michigan in Clearwater, Florida, with a doubleheader on Friday, March 6, and two games on Sunday.
As Upstate prepares for its next series, what role do you consider momentum from close games like the one against Auburn will play in their performance against Central Michigan?
