MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - In his second straight quality start, right-handed pitcher Scott Matthews twirled seven innings of two-run ball, but it was not enough, as USCB fell to No. 10 St. Thomas in the rubber match, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon at Paul Demi Mainieri Field. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Matthews - seven innings, seven hits, two runs, three walks, seven strikeouts

Payton MacPherson - one inning, one hit, no runs, no walks, one strikeout

Nick Milhan - 1-for-4, double

Kyran Russ - 1-for-4, single

HOW IT HAPPENED

USCB nearly started the game off with runs on the scoreboard. The Sand Sharks were able to put runners at the corners with two outs, but both were left stranded.

Two innings later, the Sand Sharks nearly broke the 0-0 tie. Milhan poked a double to the right field line, and Russ followed with a single through the left side. Looking to score on Russ' single, Milhan was tagged out at home for the third out of the frame and kept USCB off the scoreboard. 

Matthews was cruising on the mound for USCB for the first four innings. However, STU plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Alan Caretta and Joey Thompson collected RBI singles to take the 2-0 lead.

USCB's offense couldn't find any more success offensively, as it went down in order from the sixth inning-on.

STU starting pitcher Christopher Coipel threw the complete game, as he allowed two hits and struck out 10.

TEAM RECORD UPDATES

USCB - 17-18 overall, 4-8 Sun Conference

No. 10 St. Thomas - 27-6 overall, 10-2 Sun Conference

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Sand Sharks will return to the friendly confines of Richard Gray Stadium on April 1-2. USCB will host No. 24 Keiser for a three-game set beginning at 1 p.m. on April 1.