FARMVILLE, Va. – After a delayed start on Friday night, USC Upstate showcased extreme patience and a strong command of the strike zone. The Spartans (18-22, 6-12 Big South) drew 13 walks, one shy of a season high issued by the Lancer pitching staff, and used a big fifth inning to take the lead before pulling away late to win 16-2.
 
Lancer starter Andrew Melnyk danced out of trouble in the third inning and stranded five base runners through the first four, but a leadoff walk in the fifth turned the lineup over and unleashed the Upstate offense. After the walk, Jeff Taylor singled, Andres Kim doubled one run home, and J.J. Shimko singled a second one in. Robby McGaha tagged a two-out, three-run home run over the left field wall to make it 5-0. After a walk, Jason Matthews wrapped up the scoring with an RBI double for a 6-0 lead as the Spartans batted around.
 
Both Tayler and Shimko had three-hit days, and the top three of the USC Upstate order combined to score six runs and drive in seven.
 
Five of Longwood's (10-31, 4-15 Big South) six hits in the game were for extra bases, but Upstate starter Jordan Marks kept the Lancers from stringing together a rally.

Cullan Wadsworth put the Lancers on the board with one swing of his bat in the sixth inning. The freshman launched an opposite field, leadoff home home run down the left field line for his first homer of the season while going 3-4 at the plate. He finished a triple short of the cycle in his first career three-hit game.
 
Upstate drew three walks and used six hits to bat around and net eight runs in the eighth inning that put the game out of reach.
 
Jordan Marks (4-6) gave Upstate a strong start by striking out nine in seven innings. He gave up two runs, one earned, on six hits while walking one.
 
Melnyk (0-3) took the loss after surrendering six runs on six hits with five walks and four strikeouts in five innings.
 
Game two of the three-game series takes place on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.
 
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