CLINTON, S.C. — USC Upstate hit three home runs in the first three innings and went on for an 12-3 victory over the Longwood softball team in the 2025 Big South Championship at the PC Softball Complex on Thursday.

Sophia Kardatzke hit two two-run homers in her first two at-bats and Abigail Pippin added a solo shot to left field as the Spartans grabbed a 9-0 lead through two-and-a-half innings.

The Lancers rallied for three in their half of the third on a Maggie Hiatt RBI double to wall in left, a Naleya Bridges RBI groundout and Sarah Terrell RBI single to center field with two outs to pull within 9-3.

USC Upstate tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to account for the final score. The Spartans will play Friday against the winner of the first elimination game of the tournament between the Lancers and Charleston Southern later on Thursday.

Junior right-hander Morgan Strickland (4-8) started in the circle for Longwood and surrendered the first Kardatzke blast of the day as well as Pippen's homer in the first inning before giving way to Maggie Chapin in the second. Chapin pitched the second and gave up the second homer of the day by Kardatzke.

Longwood (20-31) committed a season-high six errors and gave up four unearned runs in the loss after sweeping the Spartans just two weekends ago in Spartanburg, S.C., to claim the No. 2 seed in the tournament.

Maddie Drerup went the distance in the circle for Upstate, which improved to 37-14 on the season. Drerup (13-3) scattered six hits, two walks and one earned run. She struck out four and threw 136 pitches.

Avery Drake and Hitt tallied doubles for the Lancers while Brooke Bennett, Maryanna Guy and Terrell collected singles.