BLUFFTON, S.C. - After a 32-win and NAIA Tournament appearance a year ago, second-year head baseball coach Ted Falkner announced the 2022 schedule on Tuesday, which begins with a four-game series versus Milligan on Jan. 28-29.
"We are extremely excited for the upcoming 2022 season, and we really think this challenging schedule will prepare us for the difficult Sun Conference slate," said Falkner.
"There's a good mix of home and away series that will prepare us for postseason expectations. We are looking forward to seeing everyone out supporting our guys throughout the year."
After opening the season at Richard Gray Stadium versus the Buffs, USCB will travel for four games from Feb. 1-4 - Augusta (Peach Belt Conference member, one game) and Reinhardt (three games).
The Sand Shark squad will become acquainted with Richard Gray Stadium, as it will play six consecutive games at its home ballpark. Kicking off that stretch is a nine-inning contest versus DII Savannah State on Feb. 8. Traveling from Kentucky, Georgetown College will play four games from Feb. 10-12 in Hardeeville, and concluding the six-game stretch will be a lone mid-week contest versus St. Andrews on Feb. 15.
Kicking off the 2022 SUN schedule will be a very familiar foe - Southeastern. In 2021, USCB played the Fire seven times, and the Sand Sharks clipped SEU twice. The 2022 series will be on the road this year from Feb. 18-19 in Lakeland, Fla.
After a home bout with Brewton-Parker on Feb. 22, USCB will take on Warner from Feb. 25-26 in Lake Wales, Fla. Last year, the Sand Sharks got the best of the Royals, as they swept the conference foe in three straight games.
Continuing the road swing will be away mid-week contests versus Savannah State on March 1 and Middle Georgia State on March 8.
Following a length road trip, USCB will play nine straight home games from March 11-22. Starting the stretch will be a four-game series versus Aquinas from March 11-12. Ending a home-and-home series with MGA, USCB and the Knights will square off on March 15. Returning to league action, USCB entertains Florida Memorial from March 18-19. The Sand Sharks won the series over the Lions last season and outscored them by nine runs in the series, 15-6. To end the stretch will be a home matchup with Brewton-Parker on March 22.
USCB will look to avenge a series sweep in 2021, as it will travel to St. Thomas from March 25-26.
The Sand Sharks will then stay in the Lowcountry for most of April, as they will play three Sun Conference series at Richard Gray Stadium - Keiser, Webber International and Thomas.
Opening the month of April will be a three-game set with the Seahawks from April 1-2, and after six days of rest, USCB will take on Webber International from April 8-9. Sandwiched between WIU and Thomas will be the final bout with Savannah State, as the two clubs will play on April 12. Playing its final series at Richard Gray in 2022, USCB will host league rival Thomas from April 15-16.
To end the Sun Conference slate, the Sand Sharks will tangle with Ave Maria on April 22-23. USCB had the Gyrenes' number last season when the Sand Sharks swept their second league series of the year.
To conclude the regular season will be a three-game set with the reigning NAIA National Champions - Georgia Gwinnett - on the road. The Sand Sharks and Grizzlies will square off on April 29-30 in Lawrenceville, Ga. This will be the first matchup since the 2019 season when USCB clipped GGC, 10-8, in the season finale.
The Sun Conference Tournament will return to West Palm Beach, Fla. at the Ballpark of the Palm Beach. Last year, USCB made an amazing run where it went undefeated to the championship match. Unfortunately, USCB lost twice in the championship game, but eventually earned an at-large bid to the NAIA Tournament - its first NAIA Tournament appearance since the 2016 season.
To view the complete 2022 schedule, click HERE.
