GULF SHORES, Ala. – The USCB softball team capped pool play with a 3-2 comeback victory over fifth-ranked Central Methodist late Saturday night to earn its first win of the Gulf Coast Invitational.
The Sand Sharks lost twice on Friday, falling 4-2 in eight innings against Brenau (Ga.) and 10-2 to NCAA Division II Spring Hill (Ala.), and dropped a 9-3 decision to Martin Methodist (Tenn.) in their first game Saturday. They rebounded for their best win of the season thus far by erasing a 2-0 deficit to beat the Eagles.
USCB trailed Central Methodist 2-0 entering the sixth inning, but Brodie McGregor's sacrifice fly cut the deficit in half and Missy Hughes delivered an RBI single later in the inning to tie it.
The Sand Sharks loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, and Whitley Martin came through with an RBI single to left to plate the winning run.
Martin was 3-for-3 to pace the USCB offense, and Ashlie Layman earned the win, striking out 11 and allowing two runs, four hits and six walks over seven innings.
Earlier Saturday, the Sand Sharks lost 9-3 to Martin Methodist. Cara Jamerson had two hits and an RBI, and McGregor and Martin also drove in runs for USCB. Allie Rogers took the loss, allowing six earned runs and 14 hits with five strikeouts and a walk in a complete game.
USCB lost a heartbreaker in its first game of the tournament, as Layman carried a no-hitter through seven innings before Brenau scored three runs in the eighth and held on for a 4-2 victory. Martin was 2-for-3 with a homer, and Hughes added two hits for the Sand Sharks. Layman struck out eight and walked eight in an eight-inning complete game, allowing four unearned runs and two hits.
The Sand Sharks fell behind early in their second game and couldn't recover in a 10-2 defeat against Spring Hill. Taylor Boyett and Marissa Becker each had two hits and Alexa Moore drove in a run for USCB. Abby Pac was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) in 1/3 of an inning.
The Sand Sharks begin bracket play Sunday, taking on Columbia (Mo.) College at noon ET with the winner advancing to face Bethel (Tenn.) at 4 p.m. ET.