Clermont, FL-- The USCB softball team opened the Sun Conference tournament with a split, winning game one against Webber International 9-1 and dropping the second game against Thomas University 1-6.

Game One

The Sand Sharks powered their way to a 6-0 lead in the bottom half of the first inning to put the game out of reach for the Warriors. Rachel Frankhouser reached on a leadoff walk before Taylor Boykin was able to advance her on the bunt. Kaitlyn O'Hearn then put down a bunt of her own to load the bases for USCB. Kayla Boyle hit an RBI single to center field, and Kylie Kelly doubled to left field to bring across two more runs. Alexa Moore added a double to the box score to plate Kelly, and Carrie Cochran drove in Moore off a single up the middle.

USCB then had to wait until the bottom of the sixth to add the finishing touches to game one. After the leadoff groundout, Cochran reached on a bunt, and Frankhouser then singled to center field. Boykin came to the plate and loaded the bases off her bunt single. O'Hearn drove in run number seven with a single to center field, and Kelly finished the game with a two-run single to second base. The final two runs invoked the run rule and brought game one to a close.

Abby Pac threw six innings, surrendering one run on three hits while striking out six. Pac is now 16-10 on the season.

Game Two

In the second game of the day, USCB faced the number-one seeded Thomas University, who had the first round bye. The offense was hard to come by in game two, where Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year, Lauren West, held the Sand Sharks to four hits through six innings of play before reliever Katie Lopes entered the game to close things out.

Junior Canyon Crosby led the way for USCB going 2-3 at the plate, while Cochran and Moore were credited with the other two hits in the afternoon contest.

Maria Molloseau went 4.1 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits, and Pac went 1.2 innings with one earned run on two hits.

 
USCB will now face Warner University in an elimination game tomorrow morning at 10 am. Live video and stats are available at http://portal.strethinternet.com/thesun