HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - Behind a complete-game shutout from Sierra Bilinski and three total home runs on Tuesday, the USCB softball team split with DII foe Anderson, 2-0 and 10-5, at Richard Gray Stadium. 

INSIDE THE GAME ONE BOX SCORE

Bilinski - seven innings, three hits, no runs, three strikeouts

Devon Weller - 1-for-3, solo home run

Francie Gaskin - 1-for-3, one single, one RBI

Addie Reynolds and Zinia Hampleton - one single each

HOW GAME ONE HAPPENED

After Bilinski got out of trouble in the top of the first (left two runners on base), USCB's offense started red hot with a two-run first inning. After a strikeout, Weller smoked a solo shot to center to give the Sand Sharks the 1-0 lead. Following a walk and a Trojan error, Hampleton also walked to force the bases loaded. Gaskin made it hurt with a single to right to double the lead, 2-0. AU got out of trouble by forcing a ground out and a strikeout but not before USCB took the 2-0 lead.

Bilinski really settled in the circle, as she tossed three 1-2-3 innings for the remainder of the game. She ran into issues in the third and fourth innings when two runners reached base, but she stayed poised and stranded all runners that reached. 

With her dominance in the circle and the two-run first inning, USCB collected its first win of the 2022 season, 2-0. 

INSIDE THE GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Weller - 2-for-3, double, triple, two runs scored

Ashlyn Alte - 1-for-3, three-run home run, four RBIs, one run scored

Daryn Miller - 2-for-4, two singles, one run

Reynolds - 1-for-3, solo home run

Mackenzie Freeman - 1-for-2, single, one walk

HOW GAME TWO HAPPENED

Contrary to game one, a team scored at least one run in every inning. Unfortunately for USCB, Anderson struck for seven total runs in the first three innings, and the Trojans never looked back.

The Sand Sharks did have fight in them though. In the third frame, USCB put up three runs thanks to a three-run blast from junior Alte. Weller started the inning off with a triple, and Miller reached base on an infield single. Alte made it hurt with a bomb to left, which was her first collegiate homer.

Anderson and USCB exchanged runs in the fourth and fifth to make it an 8-4 game. USCB's fifth inning tally came off Alte's bat, which was a sacrifice fly.

After tacking on two more runs in the sixth to take a six-run advantage (10-4), the Trojans allowed one run to score in the bottom of the seventh - a first collegiate home run from Reynolds. AU saw out the remainder of the contest to settle for the split to open the campaign. 

RECORDS UPDATE

USCB - 1-1 overall

Anderson - 1-1 overall

WHAT'S NEXT?

USCB returns to the diamond on Saturday, as it hosts Montreat for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for noon at Richard Gray Stadium.