Box Score
HARDEEVILLE, S.C. – Just when it seemed a timely hit would never fall in for the University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team, big hits began coming in bunches. The Sand Sharks put up two six-run innings Wednesday at Richard Gray Sports Complex and rallied for a 13-6 win over Mid-Continent (Ky.), their first home victory of the season.
After scoring only two runs in each of the first two games, the offense got off to a slow start again Wednesday, as USCB left the bases loaded in the second inning and left two runners in scoring position in the fourth.
But everything changed in the fifth. After back-to-back walks to
Weldon Smith and
Ty Main to start the inning,
David O'Neil reached on an error to load the bases.
Erik Armstrong laced a three-run double down the left-field line to spark a six-run frame and give the Sand Sharks (2-1) the lead.
“We just had to continue being patient and keep swinging the bats,” coach
Bryan Lewallyn said. “Guys were swinging it really well, but just hitting balls right at guys. … There was probably just a little frustration, but I've been pleased with the way we've been swinging the bat.”
The Cougars (0-5) tied it in the top of the seventh on Cable McMinn's three-run home run to right field, but USCB took control for good with another six-spot in the bottom of the seventh.
Brandon Collins' two-run pinch-hit single was the big blows in the inning.
Conald Mansfield added a solo homer in the eighth – USCB's first of the season – and
Alex Graham (1-0) locked down the win with 2 2-3 innings of hitless relief. Graham has not allowed a hit in 5 2-3 innings of work this season.
The Sand Sharks pounded out a season-high 16 hits.
Keifer Youmans led the way, going 3-for-5 and scoring twice, and
Dylan Nasiatka, Mansfield,
Gabe Torres,
DeShontay Berry and Smith added two hits apiece.
“I definitely feel like this is going to be a turn-around,” Mansfield said. “It's probably going to be like that all year now.”
The Cougars didn't help themselves in the field, making five errors that led to six unearned runs. They have made 15 errors through five games – all losses.
The teams continue their four-day, four-game series at 2 p.m. Thursday. Senior left-hander
Michael Heesch is scheduled to start for USCB.
