USC Upstate baseball extended its winning streak against Gardner-Webb to 14 games with a 12-4 victory at Cleveland S. Harley Park, according to a May 2 announcement. The win also marked the Spartans’ ninth consecutive weekend series win at their home field this season.
The game was delayed due to overnight rain, but the Spartans quickly responded after Gardner-Webb scored first, posting four runs in the opening inning and another four in the second. Fifth-year senior designated hitter Johnny Sweeney hit a grand slam in the second inning, his ninth home run of the season and the 31st of his career—a new Division I era record for USC Upstate since 2007. Sweeney finished just a triple short of hitting for the cycle and drove in six runs.
Redshirt freshman centerfielder Trey Bentley contributed with his sixth home run of the year, driving in three runs during the first inning. Redshirt senior third baseman Jake Armsey added three more RBIs with a bases-clearing triple in the eighth inning.
On defense, sophomore left-handed pitcher Max Kaplan delivered his fourth quality start of the campaign by allowing two earned runs over seven innings and striking out seven batters—matching his season high for strikeouts.
Sweeney’s performance broke his tie with Grant Sherrod (30 home runs from 2022-24) for most career home runs by a Spartan during their Division I era. His total is now second all-time at USC Upstate behind Todd Ellison’s program record of 45 homers set between 1987 and 1990. With nine homers this season, Sweeney has tied teammate Wylie Waters for most on the team as both players aim to achieve back-to-back double-digit homer seasons—a feat last accomplished by Sherrod.
The next major event for supporters will be Sparty’s Ball on May 15 at The Piedmont Club.
