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Richard Gray Sports Complex (Baseball)
With no on-campus facility for the Sand Shark Baseball program, the Lowcountry's baseball team began its journey at the Richard Gray Sports Complex in Hardeeville, South Carolina. The Sand Sharks boost a 247-151 record at Richard Gray.
January 31, 2009 USCB took the field for the first time against Southern Wesleyan, picking up a 9-4 win. Dustin Britt led the way going 2-for-4 with an RBI and Ryan Kroko picked up the W, throwing 3.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while punching out three and walking one. During the inaugural season the Sand Sharks posted a .337 team batting average.
In 2012, the Sand Sharks hosted its first Opening Round tournament and were the No. 3 seed after going 35-16 during the regular season. Paired up against Sun Conference rival, St. Thomas, USCB fell to the Bobcats 6-3 and had to run the gauntlet to make it to Lewiston. The Sand Sharks eliminated No. 5 Asbury and went to face top-seeded Faulkner. USCB knocked off Faulkner, forcing an elimination game against Union. USCB sent the Bulldogs home, winning 8-7, setting up a rematch with St. Thomas for a chance to play for the NAIA World Series. The Sun Conference rivals were battle from the go. STU jumped out to a 3-0 lead after five. The Sand Sharks battled back, scoring four runs in the sixth. St. Thomas tied it an inning later, but the Sand Sharks gladly traded the run for the out as center fielder RJ Neal made an amazing over the shoulder, diving catch to record the first out of the inning. USCB took the lead in the ninth thanks to Blake Cilwick's go-ahead RBI base knock. and Colton Rudd finished off a masterful outing, getting St. Thomas to go 1-2-3 in the ninth, forcing a final rubber match.
Unlike the previous game, USCB dropped an eight-spot in the fourth, and added three more in the seventh to punch its ticket to Lewiston to play in the NAIA World Series for the first time.
In 2023, USCB made the transition to NCAA DII and joined the Peach Belt Conference. The Sand Sharks hosted Claflin University for a three-game set and USCB swept the series, highlighted by Cam Dimidjian's perfect game on Feb. 25. The lefty faced 21 batters in the 10-0 victory striking out eight.
FIRST GAME: Jan. 31, 2009 vs Southern Wesleyan | W, 9-4
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.
