The weather-tested Big South Tournament went down to the final game Sunday night, and for the second straight year, the Spartans of Upstate won the title to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. After falling to Longwood 4-1 earlier Sunday in their first clinching opportunity, the Spartans bounced back to win the showdown game 8-1.
Upstate scored three runs in the first on three bases-loaded walks, and led 4-0 after two innings. A two-run homer by Wylie Waters in the third and a two-run blast by pinch-hitter Brady Small in the fifth gave the Spartans plenty of offense.
Chris Torres, Jacob Kirby (5-1), and Andrew Kummer combined on a two-hitter as the Spartans beat Longwood for the second time in the tournament. They also defeated Winthrop and High Point on their way to the championship.
Upstate is 33-28 and will learn its NCAA Tournament assignment Monday when the selection show is aired shortly after Noon. Last season, the Spartans went 0-2 in the Clemson Regional.