Simmons (1-6) was sensational in the opener, scattering four hits across seven shutout innings while striking out three to collect his first win in a USCB uniform. The right-hander was in complete control from the outset, not allowing a runner past second base in a dominant performance.

The offense wasted no time backing Simmons, exploding for three runs in the first inning. After Luke Doty reached on a fielder's choice, Jake Tanner delivered a two-run single that slipped past the middle infield, putting USCB firmly in control. The Sand Sharks kept rolling in the second, putting up a four-spot highlighted by Doty's bases-loaded walk and a clutch two-RBI single from Nikko Andre. Tanner added his third RBI of the game with another single to cap the inning.

USCB tacked on insurance runs over the next five frames, including a run-scoring double from Carson Weathers in the fifth and an RBI single from Jeremy Brown in the seventh. Andre's sacrifice fly in the same inning sealed the mercy-rule victory, the first of the season for USCB. Weathers led the charge at the plate, going 4-for-5 with an RBI, while Andre and Tanner combined for six RBIs from the bottom half of the lineup.

Game two started as a pitcher's duel between USCB's Joe Turner and Claflin's Isaiah Mitchell, who matched zeroes through three innings. Turner worked through a pair of early jams, and the Sand Sharks finally broke through in the fourth. Terry Dean opened the scoring with an RBI single before Weathers continued his torrid day at the plate with a two-run triple into the gap.

Claflin got on the board in the sixth with a bases-loaded walk from Duane Henderson, but Brown's RBI double in the seventh provided some breathing room at 4-1. However, the Panthers came roaring back in the eighth. Nehemiah Drew, Tyler Gilbert, Christian Hill, and Kaymon Quarles all knocked in runs in a four-run frame that gave Claflin its first lead of the afternoon at 5-4.

USCB responded with resilience. After two quick outs in the bottom of the eighth, Jon Davis delivered the clutch hit of the day — a two-run single to put the Sand Sharks back on top. Brown followed with a two-RBI single of his own, extending the lead to 8-5.

Matt Navarro slammed the door in the ninth, striking out two in a perfect inning to earn his first save of the year and secure the series win.

USCB will look to complete the sweep when the two teams return to the diamond for the finale on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Richard Gray Sports Complex.