USC Upstate baseball family reflects on historic season

CLEMSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - USC Upstate baseball’s historic season ended over the weekend in Clemson with a family connection that’ll last a lifetime.

In his first year leading the team, Kane Sweeney coached his younger brother Johnny to the Spartans’ first-ever NCAA Regional with leadership qualities even their mother Diane can’t quite describe.

“I don’t know if I can put my finger on it,” Diane Sweeney said about her son. “He’s just got that special something that draws people to him. He makes you feel like the most important person in the room.”

After five years as a Spartans’ assistant, Kane was promoted to head coach less than a year ago. He combined nine returners, including his brother, with 27 new players to win Upstate’s first-ever Big South Regular Season Championship along with their first tournament championship.

“We always knew he could be a head coach. To have this much success in his first year has just been so special to watch him,” Diane said. “He loves this game. He lives, eats and breathes this game. He’s made us so proud. We’re so happy for him.”

Diane is also proud of how Kane’s helped her younger son Johnny turn his career around. Johnny just finished top-5 in the conference in four different hitting categories including home runs. This season, Johnny hit 18 homers after getting only one single hit all of last season.

“He’s never stopped believing in me even with the limited playing time I’ve had here and the failed expectations I’ve had in the past. ” Johnny said about his older brother. “It’s been a true honor to play for him. He’s been my biggest supporter throughout the year.”

“For him to have the year that he had after all the things that didn’t go his way earlier in his career, I couldn’t be more proud of him as a brother,” Kane said about Johnny.

Kane and Johnny’s parents have stayed committed not only to their sons on the field, but also to the newest Sweeney son.

“They moved all the way down here for their grandkid, not for me,” Johnny said about Kane’s son. “Hopefully not. Haha. It’s special that they were able to watch all of the games. I don’t remember a game they missed this year. I’m glad they’re proud of us. We’ve had a pretty good year, so... Haha.”

The Sweeneys and the Spartans reflected on making program history three times in just a two-week span.

“It’s just been a magical season,” Diae said. “These boys have put their heart and soul into this. They all pick each other up. They love each other. It’s just been a lot of fun. I’m so proud of all of them.”

It’ll be a tough debut to follow, but Head Coach Kane Sweeney said he’s confident more history’s coming soon especially with his brother Johnny back by his side next season.