The University of South Carolina Beaufort softball team looks to extend its eight-game winning streak and avenge three losses from earlier in the season when the 24th-ranked Sand Sharks host Georgia Gwinnett for a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday. USCB has won eight straight since being swept in a doubleheader at Georgia Gwinnett on March 10, 10 days after the Grizzlies beat the Sand Sharks in the NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. Georgia Gwinnett has gone 8-2 since the last meeting and is coming off a split with Point (Ga.) last Tuesday, which snapped a five-game winning streak.
USCB will celebrate #TeamRubino Day on Tuesday, honoring assistant coach Danny Rubino, who is on medical leave while recovering from surgery and treatment related to colon cancer. The team will have baked goods and navy ribbons to exchange for donations to assist Rubino with his medical expenses.
SCOUTING GEORGIA GWINNETT
The Grizzlies boast an impressive .356 team batting average with All-America first baseman Cassidy Littlefield (.444, 6 HR, 24 RBIs, 29 SBs) leading the way. Starters Abby Hulsey (.418, 31 RBIs), Alyssa Hathcoat (.406, 20 RBIs) and Alycia Fields (.403, 21 RBIs) also are hitting over .400, and Haley Thompson (.381, 5 HR, 33 RBIs) provides a power bat in the middle of the lineup. Katie Lange (5-4, 2.71 ERA) tossed a one-hitter to beat the Sand Sharks in Columbus, Ga., and Kayla Byrom (6-3, 3.48) and Ashley Beyke (7-3, 3.21) picked up wins against USCB in Lawrenceville, Ga.
NOTES
• USCB has played 10 games against teams that are ranked or receiving votes in this week's NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll. USCB has three wins over current top 25 teams — No. 2 Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.), No. 14 Belhaven (Miss.) and No. 19 Campbellsville (Ky.).
• Senior OF Shelby Zipperer (121) became USCB's all-time leader for runs scored earlier this season while senior 3B Mariaha Sanborn is the program's career leader in doubles (40), home runs (31), RBIs (143) and total bases (301).
• Junior SS Haley Brown ranks fourth in the NAIA with 11 home runs and the Sand Sharks have 30 homers in 26 contests. Brown hit a school-record three homers March 1 vs. Thomas.
• Senior RHP Kristy Cook was named the Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday for the third time this season and the 12th time in her career. Cook surpassed 400 career strikeouts Feb. 13 at Brewton-Parker and enters Tuesday with 447. Cook threw her seventh career no-hitter Feb. 28 vs. Campbellsville (Ky.).
• Senior 1B/DP Taylor Triplett is USCB's all-time leader with 177 career hits.
RELATED LINKS
USCB Season Statistics
Sun Conference Softball Standings
USCB Sand Sharks on Facebook
USCB Athletics on Twitter
