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Richard Gray Sports Complex (Softball)

The home of Sand Shark softball since its inaugural season in 2012, the Sand Sharks have posted an astounding 208-78 record in the friendly confines of Richard Gray. 

USCB battled Wesleyan College in the inaugural game, defeating the Wolves (then Pioneers) in a pair of run rule victories 16-0 and 21-1. In the opener, Kristy Cook delivered a historic outing, striking out 12, en route to her first career no-hitter. Sammi Shaffren notched the first hit with an infield single, Shelby Zipperer knocked in the first run with a single up the middle and Katie Rietkovich drilled the first home run. During the first season, USCB posted a 26-2 record and batted .424 with 28 homers. 

Richard Gray twice hosted an NAIA Opening Round, first in 2013. No. 1 seed USCB welcomed Spring Hill, Virginia Intermont and Cumberland University to Hardeeville May 13-15. USCB defeated the fourth seeded Phoenix (the Bulldogs) 13-5 and then made it to the championship game after defeating Spring Hill 6-4. The two teams met again and the Badgers defeated the Sand Sharks in back-to-back games 4-0 and 7-3 in nine innings. 

The NAIA Opening Round again came to Hardeeville in 2015 as the remaining members of the inaugural team played their final collegiate games at home. USCB, this time the No. 2 seed defeated Indiana Wesleyan 1-0 in its first game and then run ruled No. 4 Rio Grande 8-0 to move to the championship game against top-seeded Campbellsville. The Tigers walked the Sand Sharks off in a 12 inning thriller in the first matchup and then knocked off USCB again later that afternoon, 7-2 to move on to Columbus for the NAIA Softball World Series. 

In 2023, USCB made the transition to NCAA DII and became an official member of the Peach Belt Conference. Hosting rival, USC Aiken for its first PBC home game, the Sand Sharks in exciting, walk-off fashion, knocked off the Pacers 6-5 to claim its first Peach Belt victory. Senior Ashlyn Alte delievered the game-winner with an inflield single to give USCB the victory. 

FIRST GAME: Feb. 11, 2012 vs Wesleyan College | W, 16-0 (Kristy Cook no-hitter)

Directions to Richard Gray Sports Complex
GPS Address: 205 Main Street, Hardeeville, SC

From I-95 Northbound
Take Exit 5, take a right and go approximately 2 miles to stop light, take a right onto Hwy 46.
Go 7/10 mile, turn left into the Hardeeville Town Hall.
Richard Gray Sports Complex is located behind the Hardeeville Town Hall.

From I-95 Southbound
Take Exit 5, take a left and go approximately 2 miles to stop light, take a right onto Hwy 46.
Go 7/10 mile, turn left into the Hardeeville Town Hall.
Richard Gray Sports Complex is located behind the Hardeeville Town Hall.

From East (Bluffton Campus, Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head)
Head west on US-278 W/William Hilton Pkwy toward I-95.
Go approximately 5 miles past Bluffton Campus to John Smith Road. Turn left onto John Smith Road. 
Go 2.2 miles on John Smith Road. Turn left onto Hwy 17 at the end of John Smith Road. 
Go approximately 1 mile to stop light, and turn left onto Hwy 46.
Go 7/10 mile, turn left into the Hardeeville Town Hall.
Richard Gray Sports Complex is located behind the Hardeeville Town Hall.