Hardeeville, SC - The Sand Sharks baseball team hosted Warner University in a Sun Conference double-header on Saturday at Richard Gray Stadium.  USCB was able to split the double-header and take the series from Warner University while moving ahead of them in the conference standings. 

 

The Warner University Royals were able to jump out to an early lead against the Sand Sharks, in the first game, and led throughout to win 8-2 to tie the series. Michael Heesch, Jr., Chicago, IL, got the start for USCB and drops to 3-3, on the season, with the loss.  At the plate the Sand Sharks were led by David O'Neil, Jr. Ludlow, VT, and Gabe Torres, Jr., Safety Harbor, FL, were able to get two hits each. 

 

The second game saw the bats come alive as both teams combined for 29 hits in an exciting game that went into the bottom of the ninth inning tied at seven.  With two outs and RJ Neal, Jr. Boynton Beach, FL, on second base and Paul Cheeks, Jr. Guyton, GA, stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter and drove in the winning run.  Cheeks hit a ball back up the middle, passed the pitcher, and bouncing over second base as the center-fielder came up throwing home trying to get Neal out at the plate.  Neal was able to beat the throw and slid in safely for the USCB victory. 

 

Adam Miller, Jr. Savannah, GA, started for USCB and pitched eight innings.  After a slow start, and giving up seven runs in the first five innings, Miller regained control to keep the Royals scoreless in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings in striking out nine batters in the game. Colton Rudd, Jr. Fort Pierce, FL, earned the win in throwing the ninth inning.  Rudd moves to 2-0 on the season for the Sand Sharks.

 

At the plate USCB was able to get 17 hits spread out between nine different batters.  Ty Main, Jr., Baltimore, MD, and Spencer Jackson, Jr., Springfield, GA, were able to get three hits, each, in the second game.  Main also drove in two runs and scored another for the USCB offense.  Gabe Torres hit a two-run homerun, his second of the season, tied the game, 4-4, in the bottom of the third inning.  Torres, O'Neil, Neal, and Clay Bonds, Jr., Pensacola, FL, had two hits, apiece in the game.

 

USCB is now 19-13 on the season and 8-10 in Sun Conference play.  The Sand Sharks travel to Voorhees University on Wednesday, March 30th at 3:00 pm in Denmark, SC.  USCB will be back home on Friday, April 1^st, and Saturday, April 2^nd to host St. Thomas University in Sun Conference play.  Friday's game will start at 3:00 pm while Saturday's double-header will be home to USCB Homecoming festivities and will start at 12:00 pm at Richard Gray Stadium in Hardeeville, SC.