COLUMBUS, Ga. — The University of South Carolina Beaufort softball team split its first two games at the NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic on Friday at South Commons Softball Complex. 

The Sand Sharks found themselves on opposite ends of a pair of one-hitters, as USCB topped Lindenwood-Belleville 6-1 in its opening game of the tournament before losing 3-0 to Georgia Gwinnett later in the evening.

Senior Kristy Cook (4-0) pitched a gem against the Lynx, striking out nine in a complete game. She did not issue a walk and allowed only one hit — a solo home run from Taylor Winn in the fourth inning. 

Mariaha Sanborn went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and four RBIs and Haley Brown added a two-run blast for her first home run as a Sand Shark. 

USCB (7-1) couldn't muster any offense in its second game, managing only a leadoff single from Taylor Triplett in the seventh inning against Georgia Gwinnett's Katie Lange, who struck out seven and walked two.

Junior Ashlie Layman (3-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits over seven innings while striking out six and walking four.

The Sand Sharks wrap up pool play Saturday, facing Campbellsville at 12:30 p.m. before beginning bracket play later in the day.