GULF SHORES, Ala. – The USCB softball team picked up two victories Sunday before falling in the championship game in the consolation bracket of the Gulf Coast Invitational. 

The Sand Sharks beat Columbia (Mo.) 9-3 and defeated Bethel (Tenn.) 4-1 to reach the consolation bracket final before losing 3-2 to Reinhardt (Ga.) in the final game of the tournament. 

USCB took advantage of an eight-run fifth inning to knock off Columbia in its first game of the day, as the Sand Sharks sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning. 

Whitley Martin's two-run single was the biggest blow in the big inning. Marissa Becker and Brodie McGregor each had two hits and an RBI against the Cougars, and Haley Brown, Taylor Boyett and Missy Hughes also drove in runs. 

Ashlie Layman earned the win with four scoreless innings in relief of Naomi Catt, allowing one hits and one walk while striking out two.

The Sand Sharks picked up their third straight victory by shutting down Bethel, as Layman went the distance and held the Wildcats to one run and four hits with six strikeouts and one walk. 

Brown blasted a two-run homer in the first inning, and Kayla Boyle and McGregor added RBI singles in the third. Boyle and Hughes each went 3-for-3. 

USCB fell just short of winning its bracket, falling to Reinhardt despite a strong pitching performance from freshman Abby Pac and a pair of RBIs from Cara Jamerson. 

Pac limited the Eagles to three runs (one earned) and five hits over six frames, striking out three and walking two. Becker and Hughes each had two hits and Hughes scored both runs for the Sand Sharks. 

USCB plays its first home games in nearly a month when it hosts Cumberland (Tenn.) for a non-conference doubleheader at noon Thursday.