The University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team looks to solidify its standing in the Sun Conference when the Sand Sharks host Southeastern (Fla.) for a three-game series Friday and Saturday at Richard Gray Sports Complex.  The sereis begins with a doubleheader at noon Friday and concludes with a single game at noon Saturday. The Sand Sharks have been on opposite ends of three-game sweeps in their last two conference series, taking all three from visiting Florida Memorial two weeks ago before being swept by Thomas (Ga.) last weekend. USCB is fifth in the Sun Conference standings but might need a series win to stay inside the top six — the cutoff to qualify for the conference tournament — with Northwood (Fla.) a half-game back and Webber International (Fla.) and Warner (Fla.) one game behind. The Fire have won their last eight conference games, including three-game sweeps of St. Thomas (Fla.) and Ave Maria (Fla.). They are a half-game behind second-place Thomas and 2 1/2 back of league leader Embry-Riddle (Fla.). 

LEADING OFF

WHEN: Friday, March 21, Noon (DH); Saturday, March 22, Noon

WHERE: Richard Gray Sports Complex — Hardeeville

CURRENT SEU STREAK: W7

CURRENT USCB STREAK: L3

SEU ON THE ROAD IN 2014: 4-2

USCB AT HOME IN 2014: 10-5

LIVE COVERAGE

TV: None

Live video: Stretch Internet

Live stats: Stretch Internet

SCOUTING SOUTHEASTERN

The Fire have been anchored by a strong pitching staff, which ranks second in the conference in ERA (3.09), opponents' batting average (.226) and strikeouts (265), trailing Embry-Riddle in each category. Southeastern can swing the bats, as well, ranking second in the league in batting average (.298), slugging percentage (.391) and runs per game (5.97). The Fire are aggressive on the bases, leading the conference with 77 stolen bases (2.2 per game). 

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL-TIME: USCB leads 9-7

CURRENT STREAK: USCB W1

ALL-TIME AT USCB: USCB leads 6-0

CURRENT STREAK AT USCB: USCB W6

NOTES

• USCB is 112-49 all-time at Richard Gray Sports Complex and 123-49 all-time in the state of South Carolina.

• USCB is 61-42 all-time in the month of March including a 1-1 mark on March 21 and a 1-1 record on March 22. 

• Senior 1B Erik Armstrong hit his 10th career home run on Feb. 18 to become USCB's all-time home run leader. He has since hit his 11th and 12th homers and is third all-time in RBIs with 113, trailing only R.J. Neal (133) and Spencer Jackson (117).

• USCB's outfielders have made only one error in 201 chances this season. Overall, the Sand Sharks boast a .959 fielding percentage — second in the Sun Conference and 48th in the NAIA — with 37 errors in 25 games. 

• Senior 2B Jon Andrews has reached base in a team-high 11 consecutive games and senior 1B Erik Armstrong is riding a six-game hitting streak. 

RELATED LINKS

USCB Season Statistics

Sun Conference Baseball Standings

USCB Sand Sharks on Facebook

USCB Athletics on Twitter