CLINTON, S.C. (Interstat) — Max Kaplan pitched a complete game, allowing one run on five hits and striking out seven, to lead South Carolina Upstate to a 7-1 victory over Presbyterian on Saturday evening at the Presbyterian Baseball Complex in a Big South matchup.

The Spartans improved to 24-27 overall, while the Blue Hose fell to 11-39. South Carolina Upstate evened the weekend series after losing 6-5 to Presbyterian on Friday.

Kaplan, who threw 7.0 innings with two earned runs and seven strikeouts in his previous start against Gardner-Webb, faced early pressure but never let Presbyterian break through. The Blue Hose loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, but Kaplan struck out Joel Williams looking to end the threat and preserve a 2-1 lead. He retired the side in order in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings, and did not allow a hit after the fifth.

Presbyterian’s only run came in the bottom of the fourth. Albertus Albertus singled to left field, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single to left by Ethan Guilford, tying the game briefly at 1-1.

South Carolina Upstate answered immediately in the top of the fifth. Anthony Ritzer reached on a fielding error by first baseman Brady Linker, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a balk. Maloy Heaghney walked, stole second and third, and scored on a single to right center by Tyler Lang, giving the Spartans a 3-1 lead.

The Spartans blew the game open in the top of the sixth. Preston Lucas led off with a triple down the right field line and scored on a single through the left side by Wylie Waters. Henry Zenor then crushed a two-run homer to right field, scoring Waters and making it 6-1.

South Carolina Upstate added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Pinch runner Gage Griggs, running for Jack Sweeney after a hit by pitch, stole second and third, and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Jake Armsey.

Lucas led the Spartans’ offense with three hits, including a triple, and drove in a run. Lang went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a double. Armsey contributed two hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Zenor finished 1 for 5 with the home run and two RBIs. Presbyterian starter Christian Charalambous allowed seven hits and five earned runs over 5.2 innings, striking out five. Mikey Marroquin pitched 3.1 innings of relief, giving up two hits and one earned run with two strikeouts.

The Blue Hose managed five hits, with Albertus, Williams, Guilford, Mason Conner and Landon Hyneman each collecting one. Guilford had the lone RBI.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of South Carolina Upstate 4, Presbyterian 1. Interstat’s ELO system projected the Spartans with a 75.90 percent probability to win.