HARDEEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort opened the Sand Shark Invitational on Friday afternoon against UNC Pembroke. The Sand Sharks used a strong start, scoring 10 early runs in the first two innings, including an eight-run second inning, to secure a 10-2 run-rule victory.
The Sand Sharks improved to 7-4 on the season with the win, while UNC Pembroke fell to 9-2 on the year.
USCB was led by Chloe Turner, who recorded three RBIs and scored two runs, including a two-run home run. Catharine Conway finished a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Emma Reynolds added two RBIs and two hits as the Sand Sharks totaled 10 runs on 14 hits.
Madison Murphy pitched a complete five-inning game, striking out four batters.
The Braves threatened first with back-to-back one-out singles and moved runners to second and third, but Murphy induced a flyout to keep the game scoreless.
The Sand Sharks carried that momentum into the bottom half of the inning. After Conway led off with a single, Turner blasted a two-run home run to give USCB a 2-0 lead.
UNC Pembroke looked to respond with a two-hit inning for the second straight frame, but Murphy worked out of trouble to hold the 2-0 advantage heading into a big bottom of the second.
USCB started the inning with back-to-back singles before a hit batter loaded the bases with no outs. Conway followed with a two-RBI single. Another single reloaded the bases, and an RBI walk by Turner forced in the third run of the inning for a 5-0 lead. Chang and Reynolds delivered back-to-back singles, combining to drive in three more runs as USCB extended the lead.
A bases-loaded walk by Saria Simmons pushed across the ninth run, and a sacrifice fly by Ashley Grieser made it 10-0.
The Braves scored two runs in the third inning. A leadoff double eventually came around to score on a wild pitch to make it 10-1. The second run crossed the plate on an RBI groundout to the pitcher, cutting the lead to 10-2 after three innings.
UNC Pembroke threatened again in the fourth, loading the bases, but Murphy struck out two batters with one out to escape the jam and keep the 10-2 lead.
In the fifth inning, UNC Pembroke once again put runners on base, including one in scoring position, but Murphy worked around the trouble to seal the 10-2 run-rule victory in the Sand Shark Invitational.
USCB will return to action Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. against Virginia Union as the 2026 Sand Shark Invitational continues.
