USC Upstate Softball Caps History 2024 Season With Final Loss to Clemson in NCAA Tuscaloosa Regionals - University of South Carolina - Upstate (2024)

TUSCALOOSA, ALA. –USC Upstate softball saw its 2024 season come to an end after an 8-0 loss to first time opponent Clemson knocked them out of the NCAA Regionals.

Head coach Chris Hawkins expressed his post-game thoughts saying, "I'm really proud of the way we battled over the last three weeks. Our growth was tremendous. For us to get a taste of regionals will hopefully get the returners hungry.Thanks Alyssa, Celeste, Cassie and Darbie on putting the team first and leading in a big way!!"

Maddie Drerup made her 20th start of the season in the circle for Upstate and helped the Spartans hold the Tigers scoreless through the first three innings. Both Upstate and Clemson were able to get runners on base in the first three innings but neither team was able to get on the board due to strong defense on both sides. Clemson earned its first run in the top of the fourth but was held to only one run. Drerup was relieved by Maness in the top of the fourth after throwing 70 pitches in her 4.0 innings pitched. Following the pitching change, the Tigers brought in two more runs, forcing Upstate to trail by three going into the sixth. As the Spartans prepared to begin the sixth inning, weather moved into Tuscaloosa that forced a nearly four-hour long delay. With the game resumed, Clemson extended its lead to four runs which brought on Upstate's third pitcher of the day. Alyssa Kelly relived Maness who faced 10 batters and threw 43 pitches. Kelly would finish the game in the circle for Upstate and throw 19 pitches against 10 batters. The Tigers would close the game out in the sixth after scoring five runs in the top of the inning. Senior first baseman Cassie Norris and freshman second baseman Abby Polk would record Upstate's two hits of the day.

Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 0; Clemson 8
Records: USC Upstate (30-23; 13-5 Big South) vs. Clemson (35-18; 15-9ACC)
Location:Rhoads Stadium | Tuscaloosa, Ala.

How It Happened

• T4: Oda hit a single to left field to advance Ariail home from third (1-0).

• B5: Moore sent a double to left center, giving Brown time to reach home from second (2-0).

• B5: Knowler reached first and advanced to second while Moore scored due to an Upstate fielding error (3-0).

• T6: Brown sent a single up the middle, sending Oda home from third (4-0).

• T6: Clark scored on a sacrificed fly out to center field from Moore (5-0).

• T6: Garcia hit a single through the right side that advanced Brown home from second base (6-0).

• T6: Logoleo reached second as she hit a double down the left field line that scored both Knowler and Bomhardt (8-0).

Notable

• All of Upstate's four seniors saw action in today's game against Clemson.

• Cassie Norris and Olivia Hall finish the season on both a hitting streak and a reached-base streak.

• This was Upstate's first meeting with Clemson.

• This was Upstate's first regional appearance that it only played two games.

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