HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — The University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team claimed a series victory and moved one step closer to securing the sixth and final spot in the Sun Conference Tournament on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with visiting Warner to claim two of the three from the Royals on Senior Day at Richard Gray Sports Complex.

The Sand Sharks (23-21, 13-14 TSC) rallied to win the first game 4-3 in 10 innings before dropping the finale 5-0 to wrap up the regular season. There's nothing left for the Sand Sharks to do now but watch the scoreboard, as they need Thomas to lose three of its five remaining conference games to clinch the final spot in the Sun Conference Tournament.

USCB was down to its final two outs in the first game before scoring two runs in the ninth to tie it and winning it in the 10th on freshman Brandon Joyce's game-ending single to left-center. 

The Sand Sharks had a tough time solving Warner left-hander Ryan Ruble (4-6), but they finally had some success in the ninth. Erik Armstrong led off the inning with a single, Joyce drew a walk and Ryan Doeppel's sacrifice put the tying run in scoring position. Armstrong scooted home on a wild pitch, and pinch hitter Jon Andrews singled up the middle to tie it at 3. 

Senior Kyle McCullough (5-1) worked a perfect 10th, and the Sand Sharks made sure he didn't need to go back out for another inning. Terry McClinton lined a single off Ruble's leg, moved to second on Ryan Walker's sacrifice and scored when Joyce laced a single into left-center. 

Armstrong was 3-for-3 and scored twice and Joyce was 2-for-4 with an RBI to pace the USCB offense.

USCB starter Hunter Englehart did not factor in the decision but turned in a strong outing, allowing three runs over 6 2/3 innings. The Sand Sharks' rally spoiled an impressive outing from Ruble, who went the distance and gave up four runs on nine hits.

In the finale, the Sand Sharks waited for a rally that never came. Warner lefty Andrew Yanes (6-3) scattered seven hits and struck out six in a shutout.

USCB sophomore Junior Delatorre (4-3) matched Yanes for most of the game. He didn't allow a baserunner until a two-out walk in the fourth and didn't give up a hit until Brandon Kirby's leadoff single in the fifth. 

The Royals finally broke through in the eighth, chasing Delatorre and tallying four runs on five hits before the inning was over. Delatorre was charged with two runs on four hits over 7 1/3 innings. 

Doeppel went 2-for-3 to lead USCB's offense in the finale.

Between games, USCB honored seven seniors — pitchers Andrew Barrineau, McCullough, Matthew Graney, Miles Galvin and Luke Pritchett; catcher Mitchell Johnson; and outfielder Doeppel — who played their final home game Saturday. Barrineau, McCullough and Graney are "original Sand Sharks" who were part of the inaugural team in 2009.

The Sand Sharks now must wait to see if they qualify for the conference tournament, which begins April 30 in Fort Myers, Fla.