HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - The USCB baseball team stunned No. 11 Middle Georgia State on Tuesday afternoon at Richard Gray Stadium, as the Sand Sharks upset the nationally-ranked opponent, 10-9, in 11 innings.
Alexander Humphrey recorded the game-winning at-bat, as he was hit by a pitch to score Leandy Castro from third base.
The win over the nationally-ranked opponent was the first time since April 28, 2019 when USCB upset No. 3 Georgia Gwinnett, 10-8, in Lawrenceville, Ga.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Humphrey - 2-for-4, game-winning hit-by-pitch, two RBIs
Castro - 4-for-5, solo home run, double, game-winning run, three RBIs, three runs
Nick Milhan - 4-for-6, double, three singles, one RBI, one run
Kyran Russ - 3-for-5, triple, double, single, two RBIs, two runs
Tim Wood - 2-for-4, two singles, one RBI, two runs
Payton MacPherson, Ryan Reynolds, Javier Saenz, Griffin Cassell and Cam Mathis - one inning of scoreless relief each
Donavan Huneck - win, three innings, one hit, no runs, no walks, two strikeouts
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Sand Shark offense started to build a picket fence in the non-conference bout from the first inning-on. In fact, USCB scored at least one run in eight of the 11 innings - highlighted by a three-run fourth inning.
Milhan connected with a RBI single in the first, and Castro connected with an infield single in the second to give USCB the 2-0 lead.
MGA cut the deficit in half in the top of the fourth with a solo run, which made the contest 2-1.
After being held scoreless for the first time in the third, USCB's offense erupted for three runs to take the four-run lead, 5-1. Castro connected with a run-scoring hit, and Russ followed a batter later with a RBI triple. Humphrey kept up the momentum, as he smoked a single through the left side.
The Sand Sharks added another run in the fifth, which pushed the lead to five (6-1).
Middle Georgia State took its first lead of the game in the top of the sixth - 9-6. MGA took advantage of five hits and two errors to take the three-run lead.
The Sand Sharks started to chip away with a lone run in the seventh and eighth, which made the contest 9-8.
After holding the Knights scoreless in the ninth, USCB was down to its final three outs to tie or take the lead, and the Sand Sharks did just that. Down to its final out, Russ crushed a double off the left field fence, which plated Marino Sorbara from first base. The ball nearly left the field, but the run tied the game at 9-all.
The Sand Sharks had a chance in the bottom of the 10th to win the game, as Milhan and TK Kennedy led off the inning with singles. They moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, but the two Sand Sharks were left stranded.
After a 1-2-3 top of the 11th, USCB had all of the momentum when Castro led off the frame with a ringing double down the left field line. He moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch, and MGA walked the next two batters to force the bases loaded with no outs. On the second pitch of his at-bat, Humphrey took an inside pitch that hit him, which scored Castro and won USCB the game - 10-9.
TEAM RECORD UPDATES
USCB - 13-12 overall
No. 11 Middle Georgia State - 18-9 overall
WHAT'S NEXT?
USCB will continue its six-game homestand on Friday, March 26 when it welcomes Warner to Richard Gray Stadium. The Sand Sharks and Royals will commence the three-game TSC series with a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 1 p.m.
