JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 18, 2025) – East Tennessee State University softball dropped both contests in a doubleheader, 9-1 and  against USC Upstate on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers' offense struggled against the now 26-6 Spartans pitching staff. ETSU managed just six hits across the two games, five of which came in the opener.

USC Upstate's offense scored consistently in the first game, posting a crooked number in every inning but the sixth. An error allowed a single run to score in the first, and the Spartans scored two in the second, third and fourth each.

ETSU went down in order in the first two innings before getting baserunners in the third with a single and walk. The Bucs finally capitalized in the bottom of the fifth. After sophomore Tiare Rieger singled and junior Abigail Taylor walked, a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position and senior Riley Nayadley drove Rieger in to cut the deficit to 8-1 and avoid the run-rule loss.

USC Upstate added a run in the top of the seventh to win the opener 9-1. 

The Spartans pitching staff kept dealing in the second game, allowing just one hit that came in the first inning. Taylor walked to lead off the game, advanced on a passed ball, and junior Taylor Suchy drove her home for ETSU's lone run. 

Upstate scored one run in the first and second before Marissa Barnes settled into the circle. In her first complete game of the season, she allowed five runs and eight hits. The final three Spartan runs came on a 3-run double in the fifth inning, and the final score of 5-1 held. ETSU mustered just three baserunners in the last six innings on two walks and a hit by pitch. 

Next, the Bucs travel for their first SoCon series of 2025 at Western Carolina, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, follow @ETSUSoftball on X (Twitter), @etsubucssoftball on Instagram and visit ETSUBucs.com.