AVE MARIA, Fla. – Two more strong pitching performances and a couple of big innings propelled the USCB baseball team to 7-2 and 6-3 victories at Ave Maria on Saturday, giving the Sand Sharks a sweep of the three-game Sun Conference series. 

The Sand Sharks (14-2, 8-1 TSC) have matched their best starts to a season overall and in conference play – both of which were set in 2012, when they had identical marks through 16 games and through nine conference contests. 

Junior right-hander Jamie Strock (4-1) pitched seven solid innings in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, limiting the Gyrenes to two runs – one earned – on four hits with four strikeouts. Forrest Kirsch worked two scoreless frames to nail down the victory. 

The Sand Sharks trailed 1-0 until a pair of Ave Maria errors aided a five-run outburst in the sixth inning – all with two outs. Matt Kianka's two-run single was the biggest blow in the big inning. 

Kianka went 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored, and Kal Davis was 2-for-5 with two RBIs. 

Junior right-hander Julio De Pena (2-1) was overpowering in the series finale, racking up 12 strikeouts to tie Michael Heesch's school record set in 2011. De Pena allowed three runs – one earned – on seven hits over 8 2/3 innings. 

Blake Drew recorded the final out for his third save of the season and the 11th of his career, matching Kyle McCullough for USCB's all-time lead.

Davis went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and Michael Johnson was 3-for-4 to lead USCB at the plate. Thomas Estopare was 2-for-2 with three walks and scored twice. 

The Sand Sharks are back in action Tuesday, playing a non-conference doubleheader at Brewton-Parker (Ga.) at 3 p.m. USCB hosts Florida Memorial for a three-game Sun Conference series Friday and Saturday.