Winthrop softball lost 12-2 to USC Upstate in the Big South Conference Championship game on May 9 at Cyrill Softball Stadium.
The game was significant as it marked Winthrop’s 16th appearance in the Big South Championship, the most by any school in the league. The loss ended Winthrop’s season with a record of 30-23 overall and 13-4 in conference play, while USC Upstate improved to 36-21 overall and 12-6 in conference.
The Eagles started strong, taking a quick lead after Rebecca Amos singled and scored following a double from Darrah Nickens. Tia Beckham added another run with a sacrifice fly for an early 2-0 advantage. However, USC Upstate responded immediately, scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning and tying the game with a home run by Laney Jennings at the start of the second inning. A series of hits, including home runs and doubles from multiple players, allowed Upstate to pull ahead decisively by scoring five runs in both the third and fourth innings.
Despite their loss, several Eagles reached personal milestones during the game. Nickens’ RBI brought her season total to 43, tying her for eighth-most RBIs in a single season for Winthrop. Amos finished her freshman year with 58 hits—the second-highest total ever recorded by a Winthrop freshman.
This championship appearance highlights Winthrop’s continued presence as one of the top programs within their conference.
