HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — The University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team racked up a season-high 13 hits as the Sand Sharks opened a three-game weekend series with visiting Georgia Gwinnett College with an impressive 12-3 victory Friday at Richard Gray Sports Complex.

Freshman third baseman Brandon Joyce went 3-for-3 and scored three runs and junior outfielder Blake Cilwick went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs to lead the offensive outburst, as the Sand Sharks took the lead with a four-run third inning and tacked on five runs in the fifth to break it open.

Junior first baseman Erik Armstrong and senior designated hitter Terry McClinton each had two RBIs and scored twice for USCB, which roughed up Grizzlies starter Drew Riley (3-1) for nine runs — five earned — over four innings. 

USCB senior Miles Galvin (2-2) settled in after allowing a run in the first, as the right-hander went seven innings and allowed three runs on four hits to win his second straight start. Freshman Caleb Daniels and senior Luke Pritchett each pitched a scoreless inning to preserve the win. 

The Sand Sharks (7-9) jumped on top in the third, when Cilwick and Armstrong hit consecutive two-run doubles to left field. Cilwick added an RBI single to spark the five-run fifth, and McClinton contributed a two-run double later in the inning.

Pat Long, Billy Best and Sloan Strickland drove in runs for Georgia Gwinnett (8-4).

The series concludes with a doubleheader beginning at noon Saturday. 

NOTES: Joyce reached base in all five plate appearances. He also drew a walk and was hit by a pitch. … USCB played error-free in the field for just the third time this season. Joyce and sophomore SS Ashly Morris were especially good in the field, as each made several sparkling plays and each started a double play. … Cilwick has hit safely in five consecutive games, the longest active streak on the team. … USCB improved to 98-38 all-time at Richard Gray Sports Complex, including a 6-7 mark this season.