HIGH POINT - #3 USC Upstate eliminated #4 Charleston Southern by a 4-2 final score on Friday evening. The Spartans advance to the finals of the Big South Championships where they will take on #2 High Point for the conference title on Saturday afternoon.
 
Following the decision, Head Coach Marc MacMillan said, "I am not certain what more I can ask from my coaches, staff and players. I thoroughly enjoyed this year because of this group of committed BUCS. This team represented CSU to its fullest both on and off the field; earned a 3.30 GPA for the year; put in numerous hours of community service; had the best conference finish since 2011, earned their spot in the tournament; played the 1, 2 and 3 seeds but also beat the #1 seed and lost by a total of three runs to the #2 and #3 seeds; gave CSU followers something to cheer about; all while creating lifelong friendships, everlasting memories and growing in their faith. They are winners in my eyes."
 
From the start of the game, it turned into a pitchers' duel in which each team's starter turning in terrific outings. Both teams scored a run apiece in the 2^nd and 4^th innings. In the second, Gavin Bogdanchik had a single up the middle to score Cade Conway while the Spartans responded with an RBI single to center to bring it level again.
 
In the 4^th inning, Christian Bauman hit a deep popout into the shallow outfield that was placed well as the shortstop caught it with his back turned to the diamond and was unable to get it back into the infield in time. The ball was good enough for Conway to tag up from third to score at home easily and put CSU ahead again, now at 2-1. However, the Spartans belted a home run to left field to equalize it again.
 
In the 6^th, the Spartans had a deep flyout to right field that scored the go-ahead run. They added an extra run of insurance in the 8^th and that proved to be the difference as they claimed the game by a final score of 4-2.
 
Matt Gallant started on the mound for Charleston Southern. He threw 7.2 innings allowing four earned runs but did not allow a single walk or hit by pitch. Dylan Matsuoka recorded the final out on the batter he faced.
 
Conway led the team offensively tonight. He had two hits and scored twice to go with a stolen base. Bogdanchik, Evann Long and Hayden Henry all added a hit as well. Bauman and Bogdanchik were responsible for the RBIs.
 
The defeat ends the 2024 season for Charleston Southern. They finish the year with a 22-32 record to go with a 12-12 record in Big South action. The Buccaneers reached heights they have not gone to in over a decade during the year with their finish in the league standings headlining the accomplishments.