1
0
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Entering the postseason for the second time and holding its highest-ever Regional seeding, USC Upstate baseball continued to make history, earning the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win, downing Oklahoma State Friday afternoon. The Spartans, who never trailed throughout the contest, advance to the winner’s bracket and will face the winner of No. 15 Alabama and Alabama State on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
WINNERS BRACKET ✅@UpstateBSB x #RoadToOmaha https://t.co/hKD7RUgFha pic.twitter.com/NJPRlmYRnO
— Big South Conference (@BigSouthSports) May 29, 2026
Drawing an Oklahoma State starting pitcher in left-hander Ethan Lund, who averages 14.84 strikeouts per nine innings on the season, the Spartans offered a patient approach at the plate to begin the ballgame, drawing four walks among the first four hitters they sent to the plate. Upstate capitalized on a wild pitch and a passed ball with the bases loaded to score twice, delivering a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. The Spartans built a three-run cushion after the first frame as a run crossed on a double play turn.
Roped in another W 🤠#SpartanArmy⚔️ pic.twitter.com/tZ3WHgLXmR
— USC Upstate Baseball (@UpstateBSB) May 29, 2026
The second frame saw senior first baseman Wylie Waters jump on a Lund pitch, crushing it off the top of the wall in center. Initially ruled a home run, the call was overturned and ruled a ground-rule double. Later in the inning, a wild pitch allowed Waters to score, building a four-run Upstate advantage.
USC UPSTATE SURVIVESSSSS AND GETS THEIR 1ST EVER NCAA TOURNAMENT WIN🔥🔥🔥
SPARTANS ADVANCE. pic.twitter.com/gaT4u8fjJX
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) May 29, 2026
In the home half of the second, Oklahoma State battled back to tie the contest, plating four. However, Upstate’s starter, junior right-handed pitcher Brent Stukes, settled in by the third inning. Over his final three frames, he racked up four of his six strikeouts and twice stranded multiple runners in scoring position.
𝑱𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒃 𝑲𝒊𝒓𝒃𝒚 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝑰𝒕 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝑲 ✅#SpartanArmy ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/cehQLkMY81
— USC Upstate Baseball (@UpstateBSB) May 29, 2026
While Stukes settled things for the Spartans, Upstate’s offense tacked on runs in each of the third and fourth frames. An RBI single from redshirt senior third baseman Jake Armsey broke the deadlock in the third, greeting a new Cowboy arm. In the fourth inning, the Spartans took advantage of a pair of Oklahoma State errors, allowing Waters to score on a throwing error on a sac bunt attempt from senior second baseman Gage Griggs.
⬇️ 9th | UPST 8; OKST 5
Jacob Kirby takes over on the bump for the Spartans#SpartanArmy ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/oeko57vxi3
— USC Upstate Baseball (@UpstateBSB) May 29, 2026
Entering the game in the sixth inning, redshirt junior right-hander Max Bianchini kept the Oklahoma State offense off the board for his three innings of work. In the sixth and seventh innings, he faced one batter over the minimum, but the eighth saw the Cowboys load the bases.
⬇️ 8th | UPST 8; OKST 5
MAX BIANCHINI LEAVES 'EM LOADED!#SpartanArmy ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/tMqNqZYH4z
— USC Upstate Baseball (@UpstateBSB) May 29, 2026
Providing some added insurance for the Spartans entering the home half of the eighth, senior leftfielder Preston Lucas snuck a 0-2 pitch just inside the third-base bag and barreling down the leftfield line, pushing across two more runs.
⬆️ 8th | UPST 8; OKST 5
PRESTON LUCAS SNEAKS IT PAST THE BAG! TWO SCORE!#SpartanArmy ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/IDPIOubQc3
— USC Upstate Baseball (@UpstateBSB) May 29, 2026
In the home half of the eighth, Oklahoma State loaded the bases and found itself with its leading hitter, centerfielder Kollin Ritchie—ranked third in the NCAA with 29 home runs—stepping to the plate. Following a mound visit from Upstate pitching coach Nick Hoffman, Bianchini immediately induced a 4-3 groundout to end the threat, putting momentum solely in the hands of the Spartans.
⬇️ 7th | UPST 6; OKST 5
MAX BIANCHINI RETIRES THE COWBOYS IN ORDER IN THE SEVENTH!#SpartanArmy ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/a05KgJqDwW
— USC Upstate Baseball (@UpstateBSB) May 29, 2026
Closing the game for the Spartans, redshirt freshman righty Jacob Kirby secured the victory as he punched out the final two batters he faced, stranding the bases loaded.
𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒔… 1️⃣5️⃣ 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒚 ‼️#SpartanArmy ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/HEYLVvBCqQ
— USC Upstate Baseball (@UpstateBSB) May 29, 2026
Notable
Earning the 8-5 victory Friday afternoon, Upstate claimed its first-ever NCAA Tournament win.
Drawing an HBP in the third inning, Johnny Sweeney drew his team-leading 30th HBP of the season. Before the afternoon’s game, only six players in program history (Sweeney [61]; Devin Buckner [41]; Noah Sullivan [38]; Jordan Stampler [34]; Daniel Gernon [33]; & Charlie Carpenter [31]) have drawn 30 or more career HBP.
With Friday’s victory over Oklahoma State marking the Spartans’ 34th of the 2026 season, head coach Kane Sweeney (2025-26) ties John Daurity (1986-87) for the winningest Upstate skipper in their first two seasons at the helm of the program. Sweeney and Daurity both hold 70 victories in their first two seasons as Upstate’s head coach.
Picking up the win for the Spartans, Brent Stukes earned his eighth win of the campaign. His eight wins are tied for the third-most in a single season by a Spartan pitcher. The 2026 season stands as the fourth straight season an Upstate pitcher has recorded eight or more wins, as Stukes follows Chris Tores (2025), Noah Sullivan (2024), and Reece Dutton (2023).
Up Next for the Spartans
Advancing in the winner’s bracket following its win over Oklahoma State, Upstate returns to action tomorrow evening against the winner of No. 15 Alabama and Alabama State. First pitch time is 7 p.m. ET Saturday.
upstatespartans.com/sports/baseball
About the Author
