HARDEEVILLE, S.C. – After a pair of tough non-conference losses on the road, the University of South Carolina Beaufort softball team was looking for some way to get its swagger back when taking on Ave Maria in its final home Sun Conference series of the season.
 
The Sand Sharks' pitchers made sure it happened Friday. Freshman Kristy Cook threw a no-hitter in the opener, and sophomore Caroline Pastre tossed a four-hit shutout in the second game, as USCB won both games by 2-0 scores at Richard Gray Sports Complex.
 
Cook was dominant in the first game, striking out six in her four no-hitter of the season, one of which was a perfect game. The only thing that kept her from her second perfect game was a one-out walk in the second inning. She retired 17 straight after that.
 
“It doesn't get old,” Cook said. “I love throwing no-hitters. It's a really big accomplishment to get this far in the season and still be able to throw one. It's a big confidence boost with SCAD next weekend and getting ready to go into the conference tournament.”
 
The Sand Sharks (30-8, 9-4) did their scoring early in both games. They scored one in each of the first two innings in the opener, scoring on RBI singles from Mariaha Sanborn and Sammi Shaffren.
 
USCB staked Pastre to a 2-0 lead In the first inning of the second game, taking advantage of two Ave Maria errors.
 
Pastre made it hold up, striking out four in her third shutout of the season. She stranded four runners in scoring position to finish off the doubleheader sweep and keep the Sand Sharks in the hunt for the conference title.
 
“It was really good to be back on our home turf again,” Cook said, “and get out there and do what we know we can do.”