AP Sports Preview

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — South Carolina Upstate will host Northern Kentucky on Saturday in a nonconference baseball matchup at Cleveland S. Harley Baseball Park. First pitch is set for the afternoon, with a second game scheduled in the evening under clear skies and 67 degrees.

The Spartans (27-27) enter the day looking to build momentum after a 7-6, 10-inning victory against Elon on Thursday. Northern Kentucky (24-26) also played Elon that day, winning 12-11 in 10 innings.

Players to watch

Northern Kentucky shortstop Alex Brazer has been productive at the plate. In his last seven games, he has driven in 12 runs, including a five-RBI performance Thursday against Elon. Over that stretch, Brazer has three home runs and a .300 batting average.

South Carolina Upstate right-hander Chris Torres is expected to start one of the games. Torres has allowed two earned runs over 12 innings in his last two appearances, striking out nine. He threw five innings of two-run ball Thursday against Elon.

Recent results

The Norse dropped Friday’s series opener at Spartanburg. Before that, Northern Kentucky took two of three at Youngstown State from May 1-3, then lost a midweek game to Eastern Kentucky before splitting a home series with Oakland on April 25-26.

The Spartans have won five of six, including a midweek win over Clemson on May 12. Prior to that, South Carolina Upstate took two of three at Presbyterian from May 8-10 and swept a home series against Gardner-Webb on May 1-3.

Series history

The teams played Friday in Spartanburg. Northern Kentucky’s most recent visit to South Carolina Upstate was in 2025.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, South Carolina Upstate is projected to win 7-6.