SPARTANBURG, S.C. - A pair of errors proved costly for the Charleston Southern softball team on Friday night, as they dropped their series opener to the USC Upstate Spartans on the road by an 8-1 score. 

The Spartans (30-11, 5-5 in conference) had runners at second and third with two outs in the bottom of the second inning until a ball hit to third base brought in the runner from third base, and a throwing error allowed for the second run to score. Two batters later, the Spartan runner at third base stole home to make it 3-0. 

Charleston Southern (16-22, 5-5 in conference) got on the borad in the top of the fourth inning, loading the bases with one out for Charlee Yourman, who made it 3-1 with an RBI single. With the tying run at second base, the Spartans were able to get out of the inning with no more damage after a pair of groundouts in the infield. 

The Spartans responded with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs and a 4-1 lead, the Spartans took scored from second base on a throwing error to make it 5-1. They made it 8-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs scored. 

Riley Lauffer suffered the defeat for the Buccaneers to fall to 8-8 on the season. She allowed eight runs (7 ER) on seven hits, five walks and four strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched. Mackenzie Rutkoff threw the final 1.0 innings allowing just one hit. 

The Buccaneers will wrap up the series on Saturday with a doubleheader against the Spartans beginning at 1:00 PM. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.