HARDEEVILLE, SC – The CIU baseball team looked to avenge an early-season loss against the USC-Beaufort (USCB) Sand Sharks on Monday as they traveled to the lowcountry to take on the in-state NAIA opponent. Unfortunately for CIU the Shand Sharks had other plans and despite the Rams holding the lead until the 7th inning, USCB (12-8) clawed back for a 12-2 victory. The Rams move to 10-8 on the season with the loss and 1-3 all-time with USCB.

How It Happened: Trent Polly was sensational on the mound through six as he struck out nine USCB batters and held the Sand Sharks scoreless. CIU struck first in the contest as Shane Hammonds scored in the 4th inning on a Kody Trujillo single moments after Hammonds had stolen third. The Rams grew their lead in the 5th inning as the Buddy Bleasdale doubled and then scored during a Joshua Henrndez at-bat on a passed ball. The momentum shifted mightily in the 7th after Polly was retired for the evening. The Rams cycled through three different pitchers and gave up 12 runs, eight in the 7th and four in the 8th, as USCB's lead reached a 10 run lead to end the contest in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Game Notes:

• Trent Polly threw nine strikeouts in six innings while yielding no runs and five hits. The sophomore faced 23 batters and did not give up a walk.
• Buddy Bleasdale recorded a double and scored a run.
• Kody Trujillo added to his growing RBI total by picking up an RBI single.

Up Next:

CIU returns home on Friday for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series with Point University starting at 2 PM in Columbia.