| USCB at Georgia Gwinnett |
| Date & Time |
Friday, 2 p.m. ET (DH) |
| Location |
Richard Gray Sports Complex – Hardeeville, S.C. |
| TV/Web |
Grizzly Digital Network |
| Live Stats |
Dakstats |
| Facebook |
/USCBSandSharks |
| Twitter |
@USCBAthletics |
| Head-To-Head |
All-Time: USCB leads 6-3
Current Streak: USCB won last 2
All-Time At GGC: Tied 2-2
Current Streak At GGC: GGC won last 2 |
The USCB softball team makes its first road trip of the 2017 season when the Sand Sharks travel to Lawrenceville, Ga., to face No. 13 Georgia Gwinnett for a non-conference doubleheader at 2 p.m. Friday.
It's the season-opener for the Grizzlies, while the Sand Sharks swept a season-opening doubleheader against Montreat College on Saturday, winning 8-0 and 5-3.
USCB returns home Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Middle Georgia. The Sand Sharks will celebrate Youth Day with special activities and giveaways for children in attendance.
FIN FACTS
»» The Sand Sharks enter the season receiving votes in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. USCB was picked to finish third in the Sun Conference coaches' preseason poll.
»» USCB started four freshmen and five sophomores in Game 1 and five freshmen and four sophomores in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.
»» Sophomore P Abby Pac was named the Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday after tossing a two-hit shutout on opening day against Montreat. Pac recorded her 100th career strikeout in the game.
»» The Sand Sharks stole five bases Saturday after swiping 53 in 55 games a year ago. Freshman OF Taylor Boykin accounted for two stolen bases, while senior 2B Marissa Becker recorded her 34th career stolen base, which ranks second in USCB history.
»» Sophomore 1B Alexa Moore had eight RBIs in 39 games as a freshman last season but has five through two games this year. Moore leads the NAIA in hits per game (2.5).
»» USCB plays 13 of its first 15 games at home, including six games in the NAIA Southeastern Challenge (Feb. 16-18) and four in the Rawlings Games (Feb. 24-25). The Sand Sharks are 106-18 all-time at Richard Gray Sports Complex.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Grizzlies finished 2016 with a program-best 44 wins and reached the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. Georgia Gwinnett returns 10 players from last season, including five seniors. Mary Burk (.325, 19 RBIs) and Brashante Dareus (.301, 7 HR, 49 RBIs) are the team's top returning hitters, while Chelsi Palazzo (8-1, 2.11 ERA) leads a group of three returning pitchers.
RELATED LINKS
USCB Schedule and Results
USCB Season Statistics
Sand Shark Softball Record Book
Sun Conference Softball Standings
