HARDERVILLE -- USCB opened its Peach Belt Conference home schedule with a strong 5-2 win over Georgia College on Friday night at Richard Gray Sports Complex. Timely hitting and clutch pitching proved to be the difference as the Sand Sharks notched their first conference victory of the season.

USCB wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, striking in the bottom of the first inning. After a leadoff single and a pair of walks loaded the bases, junior second baseman Chloe Turner delivered the game's biggest hit—a bases-clearing, three-run double into the left-center gap. The clutch extra-base knock gave USCB an early 3-0 lead and put Georgia College on its heels.

The Bobcats responded with a run in the top of the second when Caroline Pollock delivered a two-out RBI single. However, USCB starter Cierra Kinlaw (7-4) limited the damage, stranding a runner in scoring position to keep the lead intact.

Kinlaw found herself in trouble again in the fourth inning when Georgia College put two runners aboard with back-to-back singles. The Bobcats threatened to cut into the lead, but Kinlaw remained poised, inducing a soft groundout before striking out Samantha Wilson to escape unscathed.

The left-hander issued a leadoff walk in the fifth, followed by a single that put runners on first and second with no outs. A passed ball moved both runners into scoring position, but Kinlaw showcased her resilience, retiring the next three batters in order—including two strikeouts—to keep USCB in control.

The Sand Sharks added insurance in the bottom of the fifth. Taelor Chang sparked the rally with a hard-hit RBI double down the left-field line, scoring Jaden Goodwin from second. Moments later, Chang came around to score after a throwing error by Georgia College's defense, pushing the lead to 5-1.

After Kinlaw exited following six strong innings, reliever Madison Murphy took over in the seventh and shut the door. Georgia College managed to scrape across a run on a solo home run before Murphy retired the final two batters, including a strikeout, to seal the victory.

With the win, USCB improves to 16-8 overall (1-3 PBC), while Georgia College falls to 8-12 (2-2 PBC). The series concludes Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.