HARDEEVILLE, SC- The Sand Sharks completed their regular season play splitting Saturday afternoon with the Bees from Savannah College of Art and Design. In the second nail biter finish of the series, the Sand Sharks pulled out a come from behind victory in the bottom of the ninth with a walk off bases loaded RBI walk by Michael Derr, who plated Brett Wheeler to win the game 4-3. The Sand Sharks lost the second game 11-1 to end their regular season with an overall record of 33-19 and conference record of 14-10, which is enough to help the Sand Sharks hold on to their 4th place finish in the Sun Conference. 

Starting pitcher Ryan Philpott held the Bees off for the first two innings allowing the Sand Sharks to take the early two run lead in the first inning, when Spencer Jackson reached on a double, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Jackson was plated when David O'Neil hit an RBI single to right field. The Sand Sharks scored again thanks to TJ Kemps single to center to advance O'Neil to third and Jeremy Webb's single to plate O'Neil. 

Philpott gave up one run in the third and two more in the fifth, before making way for reliever Ryan Kroko in the seventh, which gave Kroko his sixth win (6-1). Kroko held the Bees scoreless through the last three innings giving the Sand Sharks plenty of opportunities to get the win. 

The Bees brought in their ace Eddie Anderson who was 10-2 before he suffered the loss in the ninth inning. Jon Schmidt singled down the left field line, and Kyle Jones came in to pinch run. DeShontay Berry reached on a finely executed bunt to advance Cole. Brett Wheeler then reached on a fielder's choice, Berry advanced and Jones was out at third on the force. Spencer Jackson then singles to right field loading the bases. David O'Neil then reached on a fielder's choice scoring Berry to tie the game. RJ Neal then reached on a hit by pitch, loading the bases once again. Michael Derr who came in at 1st for starter TJ Kemp, stood tall in the batter's box reaching first on a walk and earning an RBI while plating Wheeler to win the game 4-3. 

Game two didn't turn out so well for the Sand Sharks, as the Bees took the early lead in the first inning scoring five big runs on three hits and two errors. The Sand Sharks could only answer back with one of run of their own in the third, but just couldn't get the bats going. The Sand Sharks lost the second game 11-1. 

The Sand Sharks will be in action next at the Sun Conference Tournament beginning Sunday May 3rd when they will face the Bees again in the first round. The Conference tournament is a double elimination tournament, with the winning moving on to super regionals. We hope to see all you Sand Shark fans in Ft. Myers next weekend. Please continue to check the website for tournament details. 

Game 1 Box            Game 2 Box