SAVANNAH, Ga. – The USCB baseball team couldn't avoid the big inning Wednesday, as NCAA Division II Armstrong State posted a four-run inning and two five-run frames en route to a 16-4 win over the visiting Sand Sharks at Pirate Field.

The Pirates broke it open with a five-run second inning and added four runs in the fourth, building an 11-0 lead after five frames. The Sand Sharks chipped away with three in the sixth, but a five-run eighth inning highlighted by Ryan Patterson's grand slam quashed any hopes of a USCB rally.

Alex Murphy went 2-for-5 and scored a run and Kal Davis was 1-for-3 with a pair of walks to lead the Sand Sharks' offense. Brandon Joyce also drew two walks, scored a run and added an RBI, Nick Payne was 1-for-2 with an RBI, and Justin Kortessis added an RBI for USCB.

Relievers Jacob Shumate and Ryan Reynolds provided some bright spots for the Sand Sharks, as Shumate struck out three and did not allow a hit in 1 1/3 innings, and Reynolds had a strikeout and a walk in a hitless frame.

Bojangles' Player of the Game: Jacob Shumate (1.1 UP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K)

FIN FACTS

Davis reached base for the 37th consecutive game dating to last season. … USCB pitchers recorded 10 strikeouts, the sixth time in 13 games the Sand Sharks have hit double-digits. … Davis and Joyce have reached base in all 13 of USCB's games this season. 

UP NEXT

The Sand Sharks travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., this weekend for a four-game series at Stillman College. The teams will play seven-inning doubleheaders beginning at noon Saturday and Sunday.