Ave Maria (31-15, 14-7 TSC) at USCB (20-18, 10-11 TSC)
The University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team will try to continue its climb up the Sun Conference standings when the Sand Sharks host Ave Maria for a three-game series Friday and Saturday at Richard Gray Sports Complex. USCB has won a season-high four consecutive games and is coming off a three-game sweep at Northwood last weekend, which moved the Sand Sharks percentage points ahead of Thomas for sixth place in the conference standings. The top six teams qualify for the Sun Conference Tournament. The series also has seeding implications for Ave Maria. The Gyrenes are third in the conference, but they're only two games clear of fifth-place Southeastern and two games back of second-place St. Thomas, which takes on league leader Embry-Riddle this weekend.
LEADING OFF
Date: Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13
Time: 2 p.m. Friday, Noon Saturday (DH)
Location: Richard Gray Sports Complex, Hardeeville
LIVE COVERAGE
TV: None
Streaming video: Stretch Internet
Live stats: Stretch Internet
SCOUTING AVE MARIA
The Gyrenes have won five straight after a 9-6 win at Edward Waters on Thursday, and they swept three games from Webber International in a Sun Conference series last weekend. The Gyrenes are aggressive on the bases with seven players having recorded double-digit stolen bases, led by leadoff man Alex Sanchez (.429, 34 RBI, 15 SB). The pitching staff has been one of the best in the conference with starters Joe Bocchino (8-1, 1.98 ERA), Ethan Striz (5-5, 2.81) and Zach Quayle (7-2, 3.15) enjoying solid campaigns.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time: USCB leads 5-1
Current streak: AMU has won last 1
All-time at USCB: USCB leads 3-0
Streak at USCB: USCB has won last 3
NOTES
• USCB is 100-41 all-time at Richard Gray Sports Complex. The Sand Sharks are playing their first home games since dropping two of three vs. St. Thomas on March 29-30.
• With two saves in the series at Northwood last weekend, senior RHP Kyle McCullough now has nine saves, breaking a tie with former LHP Colton Rudd for USCB's career record.
• USCB ranks 17th in the nation in total triples (13) and 23rd in triples per game (0.342), and senior DH/2B Terry McClinton ranks fourth in the nation with five three-baggers.
• Junior LF Blake Cilwick is 12-for-29 (.414) during a six-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 19 of his past 20 games.
• Junior 1B Erik Armstrong (7) needs two home runs to tie Brandon Collins for USCB's career lead.
RELATED LINKS
USCB Baseball Media Guide
Sun Conference Baseball Standings
USCB Sand Sharks on Facebook
USCB Athletics on Twitter
