HARDEEVILLE, SC—The Sand Sharks battled hard in Wednesday's doubleheader against NCAA Division One Savannah State, even producing a 4 run rally in the bottom of the seventh of the second game, but just could not get the job done. Sand Sharks lost both games to the Tigers 7-16 and 5-6 respectively. The Sand Sharks record falls to 27-16 while the Tigers improve to 17-16. 

The Sand Sharks got off to a rough start in game one against the Tigers as starting pitcher Jorge Olmo gave up 6 runs (4 earned) off of 4 hits. This was the first loss for Olmo of the season who went on to pitch for 3+ innings. Relief pitcher Ryan Philpott came in to pitch in the third with two already on the bases, Philpott gave up a double and struck out the next three batters. 

The Tigers went on to put 4 more runs on the board to win the game 16-7. The Sand Sharks did not go down without a fight, scoring one run in the first, and two in the second when Spencer Jackson doubled and was plated when DeShontay Berry homered. 

The Sand Sharks batted in three more runs in the fourth and one in the sixth, but just couldn't bounce back after the Tigers big first inning. 

The start of game two looked very different then game one; both the Sand Sharks and the Tigers went scoreless through the first five innings thanks to starter Kyle McCullough and relief pitcher Ryan Kroko, with the Sand Sharks picking up the first run in the bottom of the sixth when TJ Kemp hit a bomb over the right field 392 alley. 

The Tigers quickly answered back in the seventh with a six run rally off Matthew Graney who also picked up his first loss of the season and Nick Rhodes who closed the game. 

Things looked like they were going to turn around for the Sand Sharks in the bottom of the seventh. With one out James Cole came in to pinch hit for catcher Mitch Foster reached on a hit by pitch and advanced when RJ Neal singled. Cole and Neal both advanced to third and second respectively on a balk. TJ Kemp then hit a 2 RBI single to left field. Zach Rossetti then reached on a fielder's choice, outing pinch runner Kyle Jones at second. Next up designated hitter Jeremy Webb hit an RBI double plating Rossetti. Brandon Cooksey who went in to run for Webb advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on an RBI single by Spencer Jackson. However the rally end there for the Sand Sharks as Berry got the third out on a fly to center field. 

The Sand Sharks will be back in action on Monday the 13th as they take on Paine College in a doubleheader starting at 2pm. 

Game 1 Box                   Game 2 Box