Bluffton, SC-- Head coach Jeremy Christian and the baseball staff at USCB have announced their 2019 spring schedule. The 55-game schedule is set to kick off on February 1, 2019 against the visiting Buffalos of Milligan College. The Sand Sharks play their home games at the Richard Gray Sports Complex in Hardeeville, SC.  
 
"We are excited about this year's schedule and look forward to a great season of competition. Obviously the Sun Conference is one of the top baseball leagues in the country and you'll be tested every weekend, but we've also continued to build a challenging non-conference slate to better prepare us for a potential post season berth."

Of the 55 scheduled games in 2019, twenty will take place against teams who advanced to the 2018 NAIA World Series Opening Round.

"The Sun Conference had a banner year last year with Southeastern winning the National Championship, St. Thomas advancing to Idaho, and Webber and Keiser both earning opening round berths. Along with them, we annually play Georgia Gwinnett and Middle Georgia, and this year added a series with Indiana Tech who are consistently a 40-win team. They haven't won less than 30 games in a season in the last 10 years. This schedule will definitely challenge us, and I look forward to playing the best competition possible."

The season opens February 1 when Milligan College returns for a second year. The Buffs are members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) and will debut a new coaching staff in 2019, as long time Division 1 Coach David Grewe takes the reigns for the Buffalos. The Sand Sharks then turn to Division II rivals Paine and Benedict for midweek matchups before ramping up Sun Conference play on the road against No. 24 Keiser University, and then in Hardeeville against the 2018 National Champions, the Southeastern Fire. A mid-week battle with No. 17 Middle Georgia, a TSC series with Florida Memorial and a visit by AAC rival St. Andrews round out the first month.

"February is always a challenge here because we begin conference play so early in the season. You have to be ready to compete at the highest level when the season opens because you don't have a month's worth of non conference matchups to prep you for the conference season. Milligan, and both Paine and Benedict, will be a good tests early as we prepare for Keiser and Southeastern. All five schools return a host of talented players so the margin for error early is extremely thin. Middle Georgia is always dangerous and Florida Memorial is perhaps the most improved team in the Sun Conference. We have to play well early in the season as the competition level is going to be at an all time high."

March opens with first time visitors Bryant and Stratton, out of Albany, New York. The Bobcats are coached by long time St. Josephs' head man Bob Godlewski, who's Saints teams made the long trek to Hardeeville in each of the last two seasons. Midweek contests against traditional rivals Edward Waters, Brewton Parker and return games with Middle Georgia and Benedict, prepare the team for weekend matchups with No. 22 Indiana Tech, and TSC members Warner, and No. 6 St. Thomas. 

"As tough as February is going to be, March doesn't get any easier. Bryant and Stratton is a first year program however, Coach Godlewski has brought several proven players with him and should be a fun test to start the month. Brewton Parker, and Edward Waters continue improving each year and Indiana Tech is one of the top teams in the country. They have a very established club with a lot of offensive fire power and will make for a fantastic battle as we start back into conference play."

St. Thomas  is coming off a 56-9 season in 2018, where they were named TSC Regular Season Champions, Hattiesburg Bracket Champions and earned a return trip to Lewiston, Idaho for the Avista NAIA College World Series.
 
"St. Thomas is tough every year, but last year's team was very impressive. Although multiple guys signed professional contracts, they were actually junior heavy and return two of their top three starters and a bunch of offensive production from their order. That series will be one of the toughest of the season and a giant opportunity for our guys."

The final month of the season opens with a trip to Jacksonville, Florida and a weekend series with Trinity Baptist. Midweek return matchups with St. Andrews, Brewton Parker and Edward Waters are sandwiched between TSC members Ave Maria, Thomas, and No. 18 Webber International. The Sand Sharks finish out the month with the No. 3 Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies.  

"We play fewer games in April this year in comparison to years past, but the competition level has remained the same. Thomas and Webber both return a lot from last years squads and are looking to challenge everyone in the conference. Gwinnett is a top five team nationally and they have all the pieces to contend for a return trip to Lewiston and potentially a national championship. It's a fantastic opportunity for our guys as we prepare for the TSC tourney and hopefully a post season berth."

For complete schedule information click here.