HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - Freshmen Sierra Bilinski and Libby Carey combined for a no-hitter in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader (12-0) versus Montreat, and in game two, the USCB softball team had to use late offense to sweep the doubleheader (5-3) at Richard Gray Stadium. 

INSIDE GAME ONE BOX SCORE

Bilinski - four innings, no hits, no runs, two walks, three strikeouts, win

Carey - one inning, no hits, no runs, no walks

Jaci Coleman - 3-for-3, three singles, three RBIs, two runs

Bri Dunn - 2-for-2, two singles, two runs, walk

Devon Weller - 1-for-2, double, two RBIs, one run, two stolen bases 

Francie Gaskin - 1-for-3, single, two RBIs

HOW GAME ONE HAPPENED

Following a scoreless first inning for both clubs, USCB's offense broke the 0-0 tie with four runs in the bottom of the second. Jodi Hatcher started the inning with an infield single, and after a sacrifice bunt, Dunn tallied a single to right to put runners at the corners. USCB was able to force the bases loaded with a stolen base and a walk. After a flyout, Coleman and Francie Gaskin each cracked two RBI hits to account for the four-run Sand Shark lead.

In the bottom of the third, USCB's offense erupted for eight runs to take the commanding, double-digit lead, 12-0. Ashlyn Alte, who came in to pinch hit, collected an RBI off a hit-by-pitch, and Shania Domingue walked to advance the lead to six. Coleman added another RBI to her total with an infield single, and Marti Gathings tallied an RBI of her own off a walk. Zinia Hampleton joined in the action with a RBI hit-by-pitch. To end the the eight-run frame, Weller cracked a two-RBI double, while Hatcher made it a 12-run game with her RBI groundout. 

Following a scoreless fourth inning, Carey slammed the door in the fifth in her collegiate debut. She faced the minimum, as she worked a 1-2-3 inning to seal the 12-0 win.

INSIDE GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Amber Locasto - 3-for-3, double, two singles, two runs

Hampleton - 2-for-3, triple, single one RBI, one run

Leah Stegall - 2-for-3, two singles, one RBI, one run

Domingue - 1-for-4, single, one RBI, one run

Caitlin Toole - 2.1 innings, two hits, no runs, no walks, two strikeouts

Maria Molloseau - two innings, no hits, no runs, no walks, two strikeouts, win

HOW GAME TWO HAPPENED

Montreat scored its first run of the day in the top of the first, as it collected a two-out, run-scoring hit from Allison Chapman.

USCB knotted the game at 1-1 in the home-half of the second thanks to a well-timed double steal. Hampleton cracked a single to start the inning, and Locasto struck a single to center to put Sand Sharks at the corners. Locasto stole second, and with the throw going to second, Hampleton raced home to plate the game-tying run. USCB was able to force the bases loaded, but all three were left stranded. 

The Sand Shark lead quickly disappeared in the top of the third when the Cavaliers struck for two runs off four hits in the top of the third frame. Sarah Edge collected a run-scoring single, and Lexie Meyners tallied a RBI single to make it a 3-1 contest. 

The Sand Sharks cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the fourth, as they tallied a run off three hits. Locasto, Stegall and Alyssa Smith connected with back-to-back-to-back singles to start the frame. After a strikeout, Domginue scored Locasto from third off a fielder's chose. With the bases still loaded, USCB threatened for more runs but again left the bases loaded. 

Using two-out magic, USCB tied the contest at 3-all thanks to a Stegall single to center. Locasto smacked a double to deep center field, and Stegall plated her teammate with a single to center.

USCB took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth via two runs, two hits and one hit-by-pitch. Frankhouser started the rally with the HBP, and the Sand Sharks put two runners in scoring position following a bunt single from Domingue. Gaskin made it hurt with an infielder, run-scoring single, and one batter, USCB took the lead, 5-3, on Hampleton's sacrifice fly.

Working her second straight inning, Molloseau moved down the Cavalier batters in the top of the seventh to seal her second win of the year. 

RECORDS UPDATE

USCB - 4-0 overall

Montreat - 0-2 overall

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Sand Shark softball team will host a round-robin tournament at Richard Gray Stadium, where USCB will host three teams and play four games in a two-day span (Feb. 12-13). USCB opens the tournament on Friday, Feb. 12 at noon versus Rio Grande. All games will be streamed on the Sand Shark Gameday Network.