No. 21 USCB (10-11, 3-6 TSC) at Thomas (13-10, 5-4 TSC)
The University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team will try to claim a series victory on the road for the second consecutive weekend when the Sand Sharks travel to Thomasville, Ga., to face Sun Conference newcomer Thomas in a three-game set Friday and Saturday. Game 1 is set for 4 p.m. Friday, and the series concludes with a doubleheader beginning at noon Saturday. It's a key series as the race to Fort Myers begins to take shape. The Nighthawks occupy sixth place in the Sun Conference standings with USCB two games behind them in eighth. The top six teams qualify for the Sun Conference tournament. The Sand Sharks swept a doubleheader Saturday at Florida Memorial to claim their first series win in conference play this season.
LEADING OFF
Date: Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16
Time: 4 p.m. Friday; Noon Saturday (DH)
Location: Thomasville, Ga.
Series: First meeting
LIVE COVERAGE
TV: None
Streaming video: None
Live stats: DakStats (Click on the "W" to launch live stats)
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS
Thomas has dropped four straight and six of its last eight but boasts a 9-4 mark at home. The Nighthawks dropped two of three to Ave Maria in their last Sun Conference series on March 1-2. The pitching staff has been outstanding, boasting a 2.75 ERA (16th in NAIA) and 164 strikeouts (20th in NAIA). Trent Stoker (0-4, 2.57 ERA) and Neal Hunter (2-2, 3.03 ERA) anchor the rotation, and closer John Gainey (3-0, 0.00 ERA) has six saves and has not allowed a run in 11 2/3 innings. Brandon Singer (.333, 15 runs) and Brett White (.325, 11 RBIs) pace the offense.
NOTES
• USCB is seeking its first three-game winning streak of the season. The Sand Sharks have won two straight four times.
• The Sand Sharks rank 10th in the nation in total triples (8) and 22nd in triples per game (0.381). Terry McClinton leads the team with three triples, ranked 12th in the nation.
• USCB pitchers have not allowed a home run this season
• Junior 1B Erik Armstrong (7) needs two home runs to tie Brandon Collins for USCB's career lead.
RELATED LINKS
USCB Baseball Media Guide
USCB Sand Sharks on Facebook
USCB Athletics on Twitter
