FLORENCE, S.C. - USCB baseball ended play at the Pepsi Invitational by splitting with Catawba and host-school Francis Marion Monday afternoon in Florence. The Sand Sharks fell in the opener 15-3 to the Indians but ended up defeating the Patriots 10-0 in the finale. 

Inside the Box Score GM One

Brian Meyer: 3-for-4, RBI

Wesley Ambrose:  2 R, 2 BB

How it Happened

The Sand Sharks didn't take long to get on the board, as Hunter Miller picked up an RBI via a groundout to short. However, the Indians hit USCB starter Noah Coleman around for six runs in an inning-plus of work. 

Following the six-run second, Catawba would score three in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

USCB would score just two more runs, courtesy of an Ambrose steal of home in the third and a Meyer RBI knock in the fifth. 

Inside the Box Score GM Two

Meyer: 1-for-4, 2 RBI

Alexander Humphrey: 1-for-5, 2 RBI

Nikko Andre: 1-for-3, RBI

Blaize Minick: WP (1-1), 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 SO

Cam Dimidjian: SV (1), 3 IP, BB, 4 SO

How it Happened

USCB found its groove again against Francis Marion, run-ruling the Patriots for the second straight day, 10-0. 

Andre grounded into a double play in the first, but the result put the Sand Sharks on the board. Meyer continued his hot hitting in the nightcap, blasting a two-run double to left, making it 3-0. 

Tanner battled through an eight-pitch at bat in the fourth before collecting an RBI single to center, and Humphrey followed with a two RBI single to the gap. 

The Sand Sharks would score three runs more runs in the fifth and put the run rule into effect in the eighth after Andre singled to right and an error pushed across the 10th run.

Team Records Updated

USCB: 3-5

FMU: 3-4

Catawba: 4-2 

What's Next?

The Sand Sharks open Peach Belt Conference play this weekend, as it travels to Lander for a three-game set with the Bearcats. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Greenwood.