Spartanburg, S.C. – Noah Quarless stayed hot offensively for Western Carolina in collecting a pair of hits, including a double, on Tuesday afternoon. But USC Upstate exploded for 13 runs in the home half of the second inning and never looked back, handing the Catamounts a 17-0 road loss in nonconference play at Harley Park.
 
The reigning SoCon Player of the Week, Quarless (2-for-3), collected two of WCU's three hits in the loss, with Jaylen Jones adding the third as a mid-game substitution. The Catamounts were stymied offensively, recording just five base runners, including a trio of hits, a walk to Mason Holton, and Yates Sikes reaching on an HBP.
 
Upstate put nine consecutive runners aboard in the decisive 13-run second inning, using six base hits – only one going for extra bases – and three walks. A total of 17 batters stepped into the box in the elongated frame with the home squad leading 13-0 once the dust had settled.
 
Meanwhile, the best effort the Catamounts mustered came in the fourth inning, when Holton walked, and Quarless doubled to put two on with two outs. Both were stranded on a second strikeout in the inning that halted the push.
 
The Spartans tacked on markers in the third and seventh before hitting a two-run homer in the home half of the eighth to provide the final tally.
 
USC Upstate (2-2) had five players post multi-hit games, led by a 4-for-6 effort by Henry Zenor with four singles. Jake Armsey finished a triple shy of the cycle in a 3-for-5, five RBI performance. Clayton Campidilli went 2-for-5 with three RBI, posting a double and a home run, while Preston Lucas hit a solo, pinch-hit home run in the seventh.
 
Starter Shane Huntsberger (0-1) took the loss, tagged for five runs on seven hits with a strikeout, lifted in the second inning without recording an out. Davis Budd was WCU's most effective reliever, limiting the Spartans to a run while scattering five hits over 3.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts. Graduate transfer Scott Templeton and redshirt Colton Starling both made their WCU debuts as seven arms went to the mound in the loss.
 
Upstate's Max Kaplan (1-0) was effective over six shutout innings, limiting WCU to a pair of hits, while countering a walk with seven strikeouts. Jacob Kirby earned the three-inning save, fanning three and only surrendering one base hit.
 
Western Carolina (3-1) looks to rebound with its next four games at home at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium, welcoming a pair of Mid-American Conference (MAC) foes to Cullowhee. WCU hosts Bowling Green (0-3) for a three-game set beginning Friday, Feb. 20, before Akron rolls into town on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Each game is slated to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats available online at CatamountSports.com.
 
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