USC Beaufort gets fifth bid to NAIA playoffs

USC Beaufort is enjoying
its first winning season
since 2017.

USC Beaufort is one of 45 teams to have its season extended into the NAIA playoffs.

The Sand Sharks (31-21) were announced Thursday as an at-large participant in the Lakeland (Fla.) Bracket beginning Monday.  They are the No. 4 seed in a field hosted by fellow Sun Conference team Southeastern.

USCB will play Fisher in the first game of the tournament at 11 a.m. Monday/

The host Fire went 4-2 vs. the Sand Sharks this season and came out of the losers' bracket to beat USCB twice Sunday to add the tournament championship to its regular-season title. 

USCB, under the direction of first-year coach Ted Falkner, also split two games with another regional participant, Middle Georgia.

Senior outfielder Leandy Castro leads the Sand Sharks in several offensive categories, including batting average (.411), doubles (22), home runs (11) and RBIs (51).

The NAIA  playoff field is broken into nine five-team brackets, with the winners advancing to the NAIA World Series May 28-June 4 in Lewiston, Idaho.

USC Beaufort is making its fifth appearance in the playoffs, but first since 2016. The Sand Sharks advanced to the World Series in 2012.

The school has been invited to join the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference beginning with the 2022-23 academic year.

Lakeland Bracket seeds
1. Southeastern (47-7)
2. Middle Georgia (34-19)
3. Bryan (35-16)
4. USC Beaufort (31-21)
5. Fisher (31-20)

Bracket Schedule
Chain O'Lakes Complex
Winter Haven. Fla.
Monday, May 17
Game 1: USC Beaufort vs. Fisher, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Middle Georgia vs. Bryan, 3 p.m.
Gams 3: Southeastern vs. Game 1 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 18  
Game 4: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 11 a.m.
Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 3 p.m.
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 3 loser, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19
Game 7: Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 winner
Game 8: Game 7 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Thursday, May 20  
Game 9: Game 8 winner vs. Game 8 loser, if necessary

Here's a link to all first-round games

NAIA

Leandy Castro is batting .411 for
the Sand Sharks. (USCB photo)