The USCB baseball team looks to extend its six-game winning streak and avenge its only loss of the season when the Sand Sharks host Trinity Baptist for a non-conference doubleheader at noon Tuesday at Richard Gray Sports Complex. The teams have split four all-time meetings including a doubleheader split in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 30.
FIN FACTS
• The Sand Sharks are 139-62 all-time at Richard Gray Sports Complex, including an 18-10 mark last season and a 3-0 mark in 2016.
• Junior OF Thomas Estopare was named the Sun Conference Player of the Week on Monday after leading the Sand Sharks to a three-game sweep of conference rival Thomas. Estopare went 8-for-13 with three doubles, a triple, seven RBIs, three runs, three walks, and three stolen bases in the series.
• USCB's pitching staff has compiled a 1.00 ERA through eight games, which ranks sixth in the NAIA through Sunday's games and is the best mark among teams who have played at least five games. Seven pitchers have seen action for the Sand Sharks and none have an ERA higher than 2.33.
• The Sand Sharks have been aggressive on the bases, ranking 10th in the nation (through Sunday) in steal attempts per game (3.75) and 11th in stolen bases per game (3.0). Junior SS Max Balter and junior OF Thomas Estopare are tied for the team lead with five stolen bases.
MILESTONE WATCH
• With eight hits this season, junior 3B Brandon Joyce has 91 in his career, good for 12th on USCB's all-time list. Joyce needs three hits to match Zach Rossetti for 11th on the list.
• Joyce has drawn five walks this season and has 55 in his career, third in program history behind RJ Neal (67) and Erik Armstrong (62).
• Senior RHP Blake Drew set USCB's single-season saves record last year with eight and ranks second on the career list behind Kyle McCullough (11). Drew is also tied for seventh on the all-time list with nine wins, including one this season.
BY THE NUMBERS
11 – Junior DH/OF Kal Davis has collected a team-high 11 RBIs despite missing the Sand Sharks' season-opening doubleheader at Trinity Baptist. Davis' average of 1.833 RBIs per game ranks 16th in the nation through Sunday.
4.875 – USCB has drawn 39 walks through eight games, an average of 4.875 per game. That's a slight increase from last year's school-record clip of 4.8 free passes per contest (258 walks in 54 games).
4 – The Sand Sharks have allowed only four runs later than the fourth inning, outscoring opponents 24-4 from the fifth inning on.
SCOUTING TRINITY BAPTIST
The Eagles have lost four straight games after being swept in a three-game series against Truett-McConnell over the weekend. The pitching staff held USCB to four runs in a doubleheader split on Jan. 30 but has given up eight or more runs in each game during its losing streak.
RELATED LINKS
USCB Schedule and Results
USCB Season Statistics
Sand Shark Baseball Record Book
Sun Conference Baseball Standings
