USCB notebook: Sand Sharks building case for bid to NAIA World Series

After their second three-game sweep in three weeks, the USC Beaufort baseball team has won eight of its past nine Sun Conference games -- and the Sand Sharks have needed every one of them.

The sweep of Edward Waters College this weekend kept USCB alone in second place in the standings, though the Sand Sharks didn't cut into Embry-Riddle's 1 1-2 game lead, nor did they put any distance between themselves and third-place Warner, which kept pace by sweeping Northwood.

At this point, the Sand Sharks are less concerned about improving their seed in next month's Sun Conference tournament than they are about building their case for one of 13 at-large bids to the NAIA World Series. With 43 votes for the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll last week (tied for the 32nd most), they hope the combination of a strong finish in the conference and drawing some national attention will be enough to lock up a bid.

Two more series victories at home against Northwood this weekend and at Webber International on April 23-24 might be enough to ensure it.

"In this conference, second place is a national bid," USCB coach Rick Sofield said. "We are a good club, but we have a lot of work to do, because this thing ain't over yet. It's about getting in the dance."

O'NEIL OK

Sophomore infielder David O'Neil left the first game of Saturday's doubleheader and was held out of the second game after being hit in the fingers while trying to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but Sofield said O'Neil shouldn't miss much more time, if any.

O'Neil told Sofield he was having a hard time gripping the ball after taking the pitch off his fingers, so Weldon Smith took over at third base and stayed there for the second game.

"I didn't even inquire (after the first game)," Sofield said. "I'm assuming O'Neil will be OK after he gets a little bit of blood flow and everything. We'll see."

O'Neil, who started the season at second base but has since taken over the starting job at third base, is hitting .372 with 19 RBIs and 37 runs scored. On Saturday, Sofield called him the team's most valuable player so far this season.

YOUMANS LIKELY TO REDSHIRT

Junior outfielder Keifer Youmans is almost all the way back from the broken wrist he suffered the day before the season opener, but he still might not see the field this season.

"By the time he's 100 percent, we'll be very close to the end of our season," Sofield said. "We had a long talk, and right now I think we're looking at a medical redshirt instead of having him go out there and get 11 at-bats for a club that's 30-10."

Sofield faced a similar dilemma last year with Paul Cheeks, electing to hold him out for the remainder of the season after returning from an injury. As much as he would like to add Youmans to the lineup, he doesn't think it would be the prudent choice.

"Going into the season, he was our best player. Opening day, he would've hit third," Sofield said. "Youmans would be a major addition for us, but right now, we'll save him a year of eligibility."

SUN CONFERENCE HONORS

Embry-Riddle's Austin Quinn picked up Sun Conference pitcher of the week honors for the third time this season, and Warner's Hunter Reed was named the conference player of the week, the league announced Monday.

A right-hander, Quinn shut out SCAD for nine innings Saturday, allowing seven hits and striking out four in Embry-Riddle's 8-0 victory. He improved to 7-2 and lowered his ERA to 1.44.

Reed, a senior outfielder, had two 3-for-4 games this week, including one against NCAA Division II Florida Southern in which he hit two home runs.

USCB nominated pitcher Spencer Cromer and outfielder Spencer Jackson for the awards. Cromer threw a shutout of his own, limiting Edward Waters to three hits over seven innings in a 1-0 win Saturday. Jackson went 10 for 19 in four games this week, driving in six runs, scoring five and playing spectacular outfield defense.

SHARK OF THE WEEK

Spencer Jackson • OF • Jr.

Splitting time in left field and right field, Jackson played flawless defense, robbing several hits with diving catches. He also was solid at the plate, going 10 for 19 with six RBIs and five runs scored.

SAND SHARK SNAPSHOT

Record: 30-10 overall, 14-6 in Sun Conference

Last week's results: at Southern Wesleyan (W 16-1); vs. Edward Waters College (W 12-4, W 1-0, W 16-6)

This week's games: vs. Voorhees (DH), 2 p.m. Wednesday; vs. Northwood, 4 p.m. Friday; vs. Northwood (DH), noon Saturday