ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. – The University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team opened a three-game series against Flagler Saints baseball Friday evening on the road. The Saints used a four-run third inning to regain the lead before closing out a 9–1 victory over the USCB Sand Sharks baseball.
USCB is now 4–14 on the season with an 0–10 conference record.
The Sand Sharks were led offensively by four players who recorded a hit in the game: Noah Campbell, Cooper McDaniel, Kris Levensteins, and TJ McCluney.
After a scoreless top of the first inning, the Saints got on the board first. Following two outs to start the inning, a double was followed by a single to left field to plate the game's first run and give Flagler a 1–0 lead. The Sand Sharks escaped further damage as Joe Turner got a groundout to end the inning.
USCB worked two walks in the top of the second inning and came back to tie the game in the bottom half. With runners on first and second, Tyler Gundelfinger drove in Luke Doty, who scored on the play to even the game.
The Saints answered in the third inning after the leadoff hitter reached and stole second, setting up an RBI single and a 2–1 lead for the home team. Flagler went on to score four runs in the inning. An RBI double made it 3–1 before a wild pitch and an error extended the Saints' lead to 5–1.
USCB had a scoring opportunity in the fifth inning as McCluney singled and stole second base with one out, but the Saints worked around the jam to keep the game at 5–1. Flagler added to its lead later in the inning on a sacrifice fly to right field, pushing the score to 6–1.
Flagler added two more runs in the sixth. An RBI single made it 7–1 after the first two runners reached base, and an error allowed another run to cross the plate.
In the seventh inning, the Saints recorded a one-out triple that led to an RBI sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 9–1.
USCB threatened in the ninth inning by loading the bases after singles from Campbell and McDaniel and a walk by Kris Levensteins. Flagler recorded a strikeout to close out the game and seal the 9–1 win over the Sand Sharks in game one of the series.
The road series continues Saturday afternoon with a single game against Flagler before concluding Sunday afternoon.
