Lander baseball completed a sweep of USC Beaufort with an 18-5 victory, wrapping up their Peach Belt Conference schedule. This marks the first time Lander has swept a three-game PBC series via run rule in all games since March 2022. Finishing conference play with a record of 20-10, Lander achieves their third consecutive season with 20 league wins, a program first and a league milestone not reached since 2002. In the game, they tied their season high by being hit by pitches eight times, with Collin Sweeney setting a new NCAA Division II record for team hits by pitch. Lander will now prepare for upcoming games against ranked opponents while eyeing the PBC Tournament.

By the Numbers
  • Lander's conference record: 20-10, marking the third straight season with 20 league wins.
  • The Bearcats were hit by a pitch eight times in the game, tying the season high.
  • Collin Sweeney's hit by pitch set a new NCAA Division II single-season team record of 160.
  • Lander scored multiple runs in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings.
State of Play
  • Lander is currently the No. 2 seed in the upcoming PBC Tournament, pending the results of other teams.
  • The Bearcats are 24-4 in conference series over the last three years, the best in the PBC.
  • Next week, Lander faces the 22nd-ranked Wingate before a non-conference series against Saint Leo.
What's Next

Lander's upcoming games against Wingate and Saint Leo are critical for maintaining momentum before the PBC Tournament. Their performance in these matches could be influential in determining their host position for the tournament's opening weekend.

Bottom Line

Lander's successful PBC campaign illustrates their growth as a program, achieving historical wins while setting new records. Maintaining this momentum in their next games will be crucial for their tournament aspirations.