A new era of University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball began this week, as interim head coach Bryan Lewallyn's team began preseason practice on Tuesday and was introduced to a small group of fans in an event hosted by Sun City TV personality Charlie Mitchell on Wednesday.

Lewallyn's squad launched a week of two-a-day practices Tuesday, focusing on fundamentals. The first-year head coach, who was promoted from his assistant position when Rick Sofield resigned in November to accept a position with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, is impressed with his team's depth at nearly every position and optimistic the Sand Sharks will continue the winning tradition that has led to 101 wins in the program's first three seasons.

“We still have a lot of work to do, but I have no doubt in my mind the guys will do what has to be done and we'll win a conference championship,” Lewallyn said.

The Sand Sharks had their time in front of the cameras Wednesday, as Mitchell hosted a program introducing the squad to a group of loyal fans made up of primarily Sun City residents.

Athletics director Ty Rietkovich spoke about the growth of the athletics department and how the surge in the number of student-athletes, which doubled this school year with the addition of women's soccer and softball, has mirrored the growth of the university.

He also spoke about his confidence in Lewallyn's ability to maintain the level of success the Sand Sharks enjoyed under Sofield, likening the situation to a backup quarterback who has to enter the game at halftime and lead his team to victory after the starter is injured.

Lewallyn then introduced his players one by one and gave a short analysis of what qualities each will bring to the team. The Sand Sharks return 22 experienced players, including past All-Sun Conference performers Ty Main, David O'Neil, Brandon Collins, R.J. Neal, Adam Miller and Kyle McCullough. They also have a number of key newcomers, including transfers Dylan Nasiatka (Hofstra), David Greene (The Citadel), Terry McClinton (St. Andrew's), Matt Barger (Southern Poly) and Dom Hayes (West Virginia).

The baseball team will open its season with a home-and-home series against Brewton-Parker, traveling to Mt. Vernon, Ga., for the opener on Jan. 27 and returning home to face the Barons at 1 p.m. on Jan. 28.

Rietkovich also introduced two of his softball team's captains, transfer students Katie Rietkovich (University of Georgia) and Melanie Goolsby (Georgia College and State University). The Sand Sharks will begin their inaugural softball season at 1 p.m. on Feb. 11 with a home doubleheader against Wesleyan College from Macon, Ga.

Both teams play their home games at the Richard Gray Baseball Complex behind the Hardeeville Town Hall.