HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - Down to its last out, the University of South Carolina Beaufort scored three runs with two outs in the ninth to cap an improbable comeback from a five-run deficit and staved off elimination for the third consecutive game with an 8-7 win over Union (Tenn.) in the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round.

The Sand Sharks (38-17) scored four runs in the top of the ninth - capped by Gabe Torres' two-run single up the middle to give USCB its first lead - and sealed the win on R.J. Neal's acrobatic diving catch in left-center field to prevent the tying run from scoring and record the final out.

The Bulldogs (39-19-1) staked starter Jacob Alexander to a 5-0 lead by scoring in each of the first four innings. But reliever Kyle McCullough (3-1) held them to three runs (one earned) over the final six innings to allow USCB a chance to rally.

The comeback began with four runs in the sixth, when Torres got USCB on the board with a sacrifice fly and Brandon Collins followed with a three-run home run to right field to cut it to 5-4.

Union scored two unearned runs in the eighth to extend the lead to 7-4, and it looked like the host Sand Sharks' season was winding down. 

But pinch hitters Blake Cilwick and Dom Hayes started the ninth with consecutive singles, and David O'Neil lofted a sacrifice fly to make it 7-5. Neal followed with a single, and an error with two outs allowed Ty Main to reach to load the bases.

Torres then delivered his two-run single up the middle to put the Sand sharks ahead for good.

A leadoff single by R.J. Rayborn and a sacrifice bunt put the tying run in scoring position for Union, but O'Neil snared a line drive at third for the second out, and Neal laid out to rob Brett Pawlan of extra bases and end the game.

The Sand Sharks advance to face St. Thomas (Fla.) at 4 p.m. USCB will have to beat the Bobcats twice to earn a berth in the Avista-NAIA World Series.