GREENWOOD, S.C. - Despite clobbering four home runs on Sunday, the USCB softball team ended play at the Bearcat Round Robin, as the Sand Sharks fell to North Georgia, 10-3, and Lander, 10-4, at Doug Spears Field. 

INSIDE THE NORTH GEORGIA BOX SCORE

Addie Reynolds - 2-for-4, two-run home run

Ashlyn Alte - 2-for-3, solo home run, double, two runs

Francie Gaskin, Harlee Walker and Jaci Coleman - one single each

Reghan Steifle - 1.1 innings, one hit, no earned runs, one strikeout 

HOW THE UNG GAME HAPPENED

Unfortunately for the Sand Sharks, the Nighthawks totaled six runs in the first two innings (five runs in the first), which was enough to seal the win. UNG took advantage of five hits, two walks and a hit by pitch to account for the six runs in the first two frames.

The Sand Sharks showed resiliency though. In the second inning, USCB posted two hits but left them stranded. 

USCB eventually broke on to the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-run blast from Reynolds. It was the rookie's third home run of the campaign. 

In the fifth, North Georgia advanced the lead to five, 7-2, but Alte cut back into the deficit with a one-out, solo homer to left. It was the junior's third home run of the 2022 season.

To make it a six-run game (9-3), UNG tacked on two runs in the top of the sixth. However, the Sand Sharks were able to put two runners on base thanks to a hit by pitch and a walk, but they were left stranded at first and second base. 

The Nighthawks added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh to seal the seven-run win, 10-3.

INSIDE THE LANDER BOX SCORE

Reynolds - 1-for-3, two-run home run

Gaskin - 1-for-3, two-run home run

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

Devon Weller - 1-for-4, double

Steifle - 3.1 innings, eight hits, two earned runs, no walks, six strikeouts

HOW THE LU GAME HAPPENED

The Sand Sharks commenced the game with a two-out rally in the first. Alte started the surge with a walk, and Reynolds brought her home with her second home run of the day.

Steifle had a lot of traffic on the base paths in the first three innings, but the rookie right-hander worked out of trouble without a run to score. She allowed five hits but struck out five en route to stranding five Bearcats on the base paths. 

Backing her, USCB's offense doubled the lead in the top of the fourth. Freeman led off the inning with a walk, and Gaskin connected with her first career homer to make the game 4-0.

The Lander offense eventually took advantage of the traffic with 10 unanswered runs from the fourth inning-on. The Sand Sharks couldn't muster any more offense in the 10-4 loss. 

RECORDS UPDATE

USCB - 6-6 overall

NCAA DII No. 4 North Georgia - 11-3 overall

Lander - 13-1 overall

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Sand Sharks will play yet another Peach Belt Conference team, as they will return home on Feb. 23 to host Georgia College. First pitch of the doubleheader at Richard Gray Stadium is slated for 4 p.m.