HARDEEVILLE, S.C. -- Senior outfielder Ryan Doeppel dumped an RBI single into right field to plate pinch-runner Mitchell Stewart with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as the University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team opened its three-game Sun Conference series against Warner with a 9-8 victory Friday at Richard Gray Sports Complex.

The Sand Sharks (22-20, 12-13 TSC) watched a six-run lead evaporate in the seventh and eighth innings, as Warner (20-31, 6-19 TSC) came all the way back to tie it at 8, but Doeppel's third hit of the day lifted USCB to a key victory that bolstered its hopes of securing the sixth and final spot in the Sun Conference Tournament. 

Stewart went in to pinch run for Erik Armstrong, who drew a one-out walk, and promptly took second on a ball in the dirt to move into scoring position. The Royals intentionally walked Brandon Joyce with first base open, and Doeppel hit a flare into right, allowing Stewart to sneak his hand around the tag with a head-first slide.

Doeppel also had an RBI single in the first, and Ashly Morris added a two-run single later in the inning for a 3-0 lead. The Sand Sharks broke it open in the sixth, when J.J. Crespo went to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a single to center, but center fielder Brandon Kirby misplayed it and Crespo circled the bases to make it 8-2. 

Crespo and Doeppel each went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. 

Andrew Barrineau (5-1) came on to record the final out in the eighth and stranded the go-ahead run at second in the ninth to earn the win. 

USCB starter Miles Galvin did not factor in the decision because of Warner's rally in the late innings, but he pitched well, allowing four runs -- one earned -- over seven innings with five strikeouts. All four of Warner's runs in the eighth were unearned.

USCB remained tied with Thomas for the No. 6 spot in the Sun Conference standings after the Night Hawks beat St. Thomas on Friday night. The Sand Sharks lead the Night Hawks by percentage points and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Sand Sharks and Royals are set to conclude the series with a doubleheader at noon Saturday. Follow USCB Athletics on Twitter or Facebook for any weather-related scheduling updates.