COLUMBUS, GEORGIA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team opened its three-game series against Columbus State with a back-and-forth thriller, using a six-run seventh inning to secure a 10–9 victory in the opener.
USCB answered a six-run sixth inning by Columbus State with six runs of its own in the seventh to reclaim the lead and hold on late.
The Sand Sharks improve to 7–23 overall and 2–17 in conference play, while Columbus State falls to 18–10.
USC Beaufort's offense was led by Nicholas Barcelo, who recorded a team-high two hits and drove in a game-high three runs. Noah Campbell, Cooper McDaniel, and Terry Dean each added two hits, with Dean also driving in two runs. Barcelo, Jon Davis, and Kris Levensteins each scored two runs.
Joe Turner got the start for the Sand Sharks. Jake Rice earned his third win of the season with a scoreless frame, and Cole Thomas closed the game for his second save.
The Sand Sharks threatened early with back-to-back singles from Campbell and McDaniel to open the game, but Columbus State escaped the jam to keep it scoreless.
USCB struck first in the top of the second inning. Jon Davis reached to begin the frame, and Kris Levensteins followed with an RBI double to left field to bring in the game's first run. Tanner Wagnon later doubled, and McDaniel added an RBI single to extend the lead to 2–0. A Cougars error allowed another run to score, giving the Sand Sharks a 3–0 advantage.
Turner tossed a scoreless second inning to maintain the lead. Columbus State got on the board in the third with a sacrifice fly following a walk and stolen base, cutting the deficit to 3–1.
The score remained 3–1 until the sixth inning, when Columbus State struck for six runs to take its first lead of the game. Two sacrifice flies and a two-RBI single pushed the Cougars ahead 4–3, and a two-RBI double capped the inning to make it 7–3.
USCB responded immediately in the seventh. After loading the bases with no outs, Barcelo delivered a two-RBI single to cut the deficit to 7–5. Davis followed with an RBI single to make it a one-run game.
The Sand Sharks regained the lead later in the inning when Dean hit a two-RBI double to left field, putting USCB ahead 8–7. Campbell added a sacrifice fly to cap the six-run inning and give the Sand Sharks a 9–7 lead.
In the eighth, Barcelo drilled a solo home run to left field to extend the lead to 10–7.
Columbus State tried a late push in the ninth, scoring on an RBI double and a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 10–9. However, Thomas recorded the final out on a fly ball to seal the victory.
USCB continues the road series against Columbus State on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Columbus, Georgia.
