SAVANNAH, Ga. - Despite a Kyran Russ home run and a strong start from Ryan Reynolds, the USCB baseball team faltered late on the road to Savannah State, 8-3, on Tuesday afternoon at Tiger Field.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Reynolds - five innings, two hits, one run, one walk
Cam Mathis - one inning, two hits, no runs, no walks
Russ - 1-for-3, two-run home run, walk
Tristan Triplett and Noah Matthews - two hits each
Marino Sorbara - 1-for-2, double, one RBI
HOW IT HAPPENED
USCB started the scoring quickly in the first inning with a pair of runs. Alexander Humphrey started the rally with a two-out single, and Russ followed with a two-run blast to left to give USCB the two-run lead.
Savannah State cut the deficit in half off a pair of hits in the bottom of the third. Derek Riveria singled with one out, and after a stolen base, Joey Roberson connected with a run-scoring single to make the game 2-1.
The Sand Sharks nearly started a rally in the next half inning, as Matthews and Nick Milhan collected singles. However, the duo was left stranded.
The Tigers took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth, as they totaled three runs off four hits.
USCB didn't cave, as the Sand Sharks made it a one-run game in the top of the seventh. Sorbara smacked a RBI double to plate Tavaris Terrell from first base to make it a 4-3 contest.
Savannah State added insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the five-run advantage, 8-3.
The Sand Sharks tried to mount a comeback in the ninth. Jack Slavin pinch hit for Milhan, and Slavin walked to start the inning. Brody Bouknight traded places on a fielder's choice, and on the next batter, David Villafane reached on a fielding error to put two Sand Sharks on base with one out. However, USCB couldn't capitalize in the five-run loss.
TEAM RECORD UPDATES
USCB - 6-10 overall
Savannah Sate - 7-8 overall
WHAT'S NEXT?
USCB will open a four-game homestand on Wednesday, March 11, as the Sand Sharks host St. Andrews at Richard Gray Stadium. The non-conference tilt is scheduled for 3 p.m.
