CHARLESTON - The Charleston Southern softball team fell to USC Upstate, 13-1, on Friday afternoon in the opening game of the series.

USC Upstate struck early, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Jordyn Dimond led off the bottom half with a single up the middle, and Maddie Lee followed by reaching on a fielder's choice that resulted in the out of Dimond. Lee then stole second before Harper Schoeneweis singled, but Lee was thrown out at the plate to end the threat.

The Spartans added five runs in the second inning to extend their lead to 7-0.

Charlee Yourman opened the bottom of the frame with a single, while Cadence Walding later reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in Yourman being retired.

USC Upstate continued to build its lead with four runs in the third and two more in the fourth, making it 13-0.

The Buccaneers broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Lee led off with a single before Schoeneweis reached on a fielder's choice. Lorenzza Marcacci followed with a single to right field, and Yourman delivered an RBI single to left to score Schoeneweis and put CSU on the board.

In the fifth, Linley Jones reached on an error and Carsten Sandvig added a single to left, but the Bucs were unable to capitalize.

Kinsey Clopton got the start in the circle, tossing 1.1 innings and allowing five runs on three hits while striking out one. Brenna Conley recorded two outs, allowing two runs on three hits. Gianna Deluco pitched one inning, allowing four runs on five hits with one strikeout, and Mackenzie North closed the game with two innings, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out one.

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The Buccaneers return to action tomorrow to close out conference play with a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 1:00 p.m., with game two to follow at 3:00 p.m. Senior Day ceremonies will take place following the conclusion of game two. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.