SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A 12-run fifth inning proved to be the difference on Friday night as the Presbyterian College baseball team (17-30, Big South: 9-13) fell in the series opener to USC Upstate (28-22, Big South: 14-5) by a final score of 16-3 at Harley Park.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Presbyterian jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second. Amman Dewberry led off the inning by drawing a walk after a gritty at-bat, and Jackson Hugus followed with a double into the right-center gap to score Dewberry and put PC on the board.
• Brody Linker then stepped up and launched a two-run homer over the left field fence, extending the Blue Hose's lead to 3-0.
• USC Upstate responded quickly in the bottom half of the inning, using three hits to plate two runs and trim the lead to 3-2.
• The Spartans tied the game in the third inning with a sacrifice fly.
• After a quiet fourth frame, Upstate broke the game open in the fifth, with 12 runs on 10 hits to take a commanding 15-3 advantage.
• The Spartans capped their scoring in the sixth with a solo home run to left field by Vance Sheahan.
• Despite some solid pitching from Carter Payne to close out the night, Presbyterian was unable to put anymore runs on the board.

 
NOTABLES

• Jackson Hugus recorded his seventh double of the season in the second inning.
• Brody Linker connected on his second home run of the year with his two-run shot in the second.
• Tyrell Williams made the start for PC, tossing 4.0 innings with four strikeouts while allowing three runs on six hits.
• Carter Payne provided 3.1 innings of relief, surrendering just one run on two hits and striking out a career-high of four.

 
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose continue their weekend series with a doubleheader against USC Upstate on Saturday afternoon. First pitch from Harley Park is set for 2 p.m.