SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate snapped a three-game losing streak and avenged its season opening loss to Newberry College Wednesday night at Harley Park, 25-8.

The Spartans move to 8-8 overall.  Newberry drops to a 6-15-1 record.

The game in the early going was a back-and-forth contest with four ties and four lead changes through the first five and a half innings of play.  The Spartans took the lead for good in the home half of the fifth, scoring two runs to take a 9-8 lead.

Newberry was led in hitting by Jimmy Bertelson (Miami, Fla.), who finished 2-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored, and two RBIs.  Anthony Dillenger (Gaffney, S.C.) finished 2-for-4, scoring three runs.

USC Upstate reliever Justin Hayes (3-1) picks up the victory as he left the game with a 9-8 lead in top of the sixth inning.  Bradley Blanks came on and pitched four effective innings, giving up no runs on just two hits, to record his fourth save.  Newberry reliever Danny Bertelson (0-2) was credited with the loss, giving up four earned runs in two innings pitched.

Newberry begins conference play Saturday at Tusculum, the preseason favorite to win the South Atlantic Conference.