Hardeeville, SC- USCB Baseball did almost everything right on Friday, pitching, hitting, and playing stellar defense as they swept the Ave Maria Gyrenes in an important TSC doubleheader by scores of 9-3 and 10-2. The Sand Sharks' scored 21 runs on 30 hits over the 2 games while their pitchers allowed only 5 runs. Defensively, the Sand Sharks were spectacular all day, with every defender taking their moment to shine.
Robbie Mckinney continued his torrid pace at the plate and led the offense by going a combined 7 for 10 and knocking in 8 runs, including the walk-off 2-run single in the bottom of the 7th of game 2 to win the game. With the 2 wins, the Sand Sharks pushed their winning streak to a season-high 7 games.
In game 1,
Eamonn Collins pitched 7 strong innings and picked up his 3rd win of the year as the Sand Sharks won 9-3. Collins allowed just 6 hits and 2 runs, while walking only 2 and striking out 6.
Wyatt McCampbell pitched the final 2 innings in relief. McKinney,
Bobby Wenthe, and
Nick DelBianco each had 3 hits and 2 RBIs.
Cole Hamilton and
Jay Newell contributed 2 hits and 2 RBIs apiece.
Tavaris Terrell also had 2 hits.
In game 2, McKinney was a one-man wrecking crew at the plate, going 4-6 with a season-high 6 RBIs, leading the Sand Sharks to a 12-2 victory.
Chris Vazquez,
Tristan Triplett, and
Kevin Smith each had 2 hits, with Vazquez adding an RBI. Hamilton and Terrell each had hits, and Wenthe smacked an RBI double.
Chris Hitchman pitched 5 ⅔ solid innings to collect his 3rd win of the year.
Ryan Pedersen pitched the final 1 ⅓ innings in relief.
The Sand Sharks will close out their TSC series vs. Ave Maria on Saturday at noon. Saturday is also Senior Recognition Day for USCB Baseball, with graduating student-athletes being honored in a special pre-game ceremony at 11:30 am. On Tuesday, the 9th, Brewton Parker comes to visit for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00pm. All games will be broadcast on the Sand Shark Gameday Network at uscbathletics.com/live. Keep it tuned to uscbathletics.com for the latest news, notes, and updated information.
