HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - Behind a complete-game effort from Scott Matthews and a two-run eighth inning, the USCB baseball team won the series over No. 18 Webber International, as the Sand Sharks won the rubber match on Saturday, 5-3, at Richard Gray Stadium. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Matthews - complete game, win, 11 hits, two earned runs, one walk, four strikeouts, 130 pitches

Nick Milhan - 2-for-4, double, single

Wesley Ambrose - 2-for-3, two singles, three runs

Brock Thibodeaux - 2-for-4, two singles, one RBI

TK Kennedy and Kyran Russ - one single and one RBI each

Hunter McKown - 1-for-3, single, one RBI

Jake Tanner - 1-for-2, single, one run

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a scoreless first inning, USCB took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the second. Ambrose connected with an infield single, and Tanner followed with a single through the right side. Thibodeaux carried the momentum, as he reached safely, but it allowed Ambrose to touch home without a throw. After an out, McKown poked a RBI single to double the Sand Shark lead - 2-0. 

Webber International plated lone runs in both the third and fourth innings, which tied the game at 2-2.

The Sand Sharks retook the lead, 3-2, in the home half of the fourth when Kennedy came up clutch with a two-out, RBI single.

The Warriors fought back one more time in the top of the sixth when Richard Rodriguez collected the game-tying hit for WIU.

After two scoreless frames, USCB's offense found momentum in the bottom of the eighth. Robbie Brown worked a one-out walk, and Ambrose followed with a hit by pitch. Russ came up big in a pinch-hit situation, which was the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run. The Sand Sharks added on one more run, as the WIU catcher threw the ball away when Tanner reached scoring position. USCB threatened to add more but settled for the two-run lead, 5-3. 

Entering the ninth inning with 117 pitches, Matthews climbed back on the hill to seal the complete game. He had little issues with the WIU lineup, as he needed just 13 pitches to claim his third win of the 2022 season. 

TEAM RECORD UPDATES

USCB - 21-20 overall, 8-10 Sun Conference

No. 18 Webber International - 31-13 overall, 6-8 Sun Conference 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Sand Sharks will play their final mid-week game of the 2022 season, as they make the trek to Laurinburg, N.C. on Tuesday, April 12. First pitch against St. Andrews is scheduled for 3 p.m.