GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. USC UPSTATE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford baseball team will step out of conference this weekend to host USC Upstate in a three-game series. Due to expected inclement weather on Saturday, the teams will now play a doubleheader Friday at 3 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
Samford and USC Upstate have never met previously in baseball.
 
Samford comes into this weekend's series with a record of 20-19 overall and 8-4 in SoCon play. The Bulldogs dropped a 14-2 decision to sixth-ranked Auburn Tuesday night. Last weekend, Samford swept three games at UNC Greensboro.
 
Samford is scheduled to start right-handed pitcher Joseph Lee (2-0, 4.10 ERA) in game one, right-handed pitcher Mason Blasche (2-5, 5.98 ERA) in game two and right-hander Noah Berry (4-1, 2.18 ERA) on Sunday.
 
Samford has been led at the plate so far this season by Jake Souders, who enters the weekend on a 32-game reached base streak. For the season, Souders is hitting .405 (60-of-148) with nine home runs and 34 RBI. Luke Boykin leads the team in home run with 11 and in RBI with 41. Gus Gandy is hitting .326 (43-of-132) with eight doubles, three home runs and 19 RBI. Pierce Dutton is hitting .313 (21-of-67), Cade Carr is hitting .310 (44-of-142), while Trey Higgins has a .303 (37-of-122) average.
 
USC Upstate comes into the weekend with a mark of 19-23 overall and 8-10 in Big South Conference play. The Spartans dropped a 7-2 decision at Clemson Tuesday night.
 
USC Upstate has listed left-handed pitcher Chris Torres (4-3, 5.72 ERA), left-handed pitcher Max Kaplan (3-4, 5.81 ERA) and right-hander Brent Stukes (4-2, 5.63 ERA) as its starting rotation for the weekend.
 
USC Upstate has been led at the plate so far this season by Henry Zenor, hitting .326 (60-of-184) with 11 doubles, four home runs and 33 RBI. Wylie Waters and Johnny Sweeney share the team lead in home runs with seven each.
 
All three games can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will also be available. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: 2026 SCHEDULE.
 
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For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).