SPARTANBURG, SC—USC Upstate evened the ASUN Conference series with a convincing 11-3 victory over visiting NJIT Friday evening at Harley Park on Senior Night.

The Spartans snap a five-game skid, moving to 23-31 overall, 6-14 in the ASUN while the Highlanders fall to 9-39 overall, 2-18 in the conference.

The home team opened the game with a 6-1 lead after four and extended to 11-1 after seven complete.  NJIT added two runs in the top of the ninth as the Spartans held on for an 11-3 victory.

Spartans starting pitcher Kevin Hickey (4-7) and relief pitcher Sean Hupp (1 save) combined to hold the visiting Highlanders to just three runs.  Hickey pitched 5.0 innings, allowing one run while surrendering five hits while Hupp closed out the game, pitching the final 4.0 innings, letting up two runs on six hits.  Both pitchers fanned two Highlander batters.

USC Upstate combined for 16 hits paced by C Charlie Carpenter, who finished a perfect 4-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored.  Carpenter notched his ninth home run of the season – a solo shot in the bottom of the third to left field.

Spartans 3B Brett Hawkins went 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run while LF Pat Raiff finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored in the win.

NJIT starting pitcher RHP Jared Kacso (0-1) was stuck with the loss, pitching 2.0 innings, allowing five hits and five runs.  Relief pitcher James Sofield, the Highlanders fourth pitcher, pitched a scoreless ninth inning, surrendering two hits.

Sophomore 2B Tom Brady went a perfect 3-for-3 with one RBI, coming in the top of the ninth on a single to center field.  RF Evan Pietronico drove in the first run of the game for the Highlanders in the bottom of the fourth on a single to center field.  CF
Jesse Uttendorfer finished 3-for-5 with one run scored.

NJIT will conclude the 2017 season at Upstate on Saturday at 1pm.  The game will be streamed live on ESPN3.