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STARTANBURG, S.C. – USC-Upstate scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth in a come-from-behind, 6-5 win over the La Salle baseball team on Sunday afternoon at Harley Park. The Explorers return home from spring break 2-13 on the year while the Spartans improve to 8-9.

Upstate scratched the scoreboard first, picking up an unearned first inning run off La Salle starter Mark Williams. The Explorers answered in the top of the third, pushing across a run behind four hits to tie the ballgame up at one.

Shawn O'Neill (L, 1-2) relieved Williams in the third inning and tossed six innings in relief. The southpaw gave up four runs (three earned) on nine hits while striking out three and walking three.

The Spartans scored a run in the third and two in fourth to up its lead to 4-1 before La Salle responded in the top of the fifth. Kevin Baron (3-5, R) smacked a one-out double and came around to score on when George Smith Jr (3-5, R) singled him home.

O'Neill settled in, posting blanks in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings which allowed the Explorers to mount a comeback. The Blue and Gold posted a run in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings to enter the bottom of the ninth with a 5-4 edge.

A trio of Spartan singles knocked O'Neill out of the game with the bases loaded as head coach Mike Lake called on Mike McLeod for the save opportunity. McLeod recorded an out before allowing a sacrifice fly which tied the game at five apiece. The game ended on a fielding error by Baron as the home team stole a 6-5 win.

Justin Korenblatt remains on fire after picking up three more hits on Sunday. He batted .714 (10-14) in the three-game series. Williams went 2-for-4 in the game. As a team, the Blue and Gold outhit the Spartans, 15-13.

La Salle will host Delaware on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in its home opener.