COCHRAN, Ga. – The USCB softball team had to work overtime for the third straight day, winning the opener of a doubleheader at Middle Georgia State 4-3 in eight innings before dropping the finale 6-4 on Tuesday. 

The Sand Sharks went to extra innings for the third day in a row and came out on top for the second straight day with their win in the opener. 

Freshman Abby Pac pitched six scoreless innings in relief to earn the win, and Missy Hughes delivered the game-winning RBI single in the eighth inning. 

USCB took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, as Marissa Becker doubled home a run and scored on an error later in the inning. Taylor Boyett rounded the bases in the second inning, reaching on a bunt single and coming around to score when the Knights made two errors on the play.

Starter Ashlie Layman couldn't hold the lead, though, allowing five hits and five walks through two-plus innings to allow the Knights to tie it at 3. Pac entered with runners at the corners and no outs in the third and got out of the jam, then shut down Middle Georgia the rest of the way. She struck out six and allowed four hits and three walks. 

The Sand Sharks grabbed an early lead in the second game when Brodie McGregor scored on Boyett's bunt single in the second, but the Knights answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Middle Georgia took the lead on Amelia Smith's second RBI of the game in the fourth inning and added another run in the fifth to make it 3-1. 

Whitley Martin and Cara Jamerson each drew bases-loaded walks in the sixth to tie it at 3, but the Knights scored three in the bottom of the inning with the help of a pair of defensive miscues. Kayla Boyle hit her second homer of the season in the seventh, but the Sand Sharks' rally fell short. 

Pac was charged with the loss, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

The Sand Sharks (18-17) are back on the road Friday, facing Columbia College in a non-conference doubleheader at 2 p.m.