Box Score AIKEN, SC--A four-run first inning propelled the Belmont Abbey Crusaders (17-12) to a 9-5 non-conference baseball win over USC Aiken (18-12) Wednesday night at J.H. Satcher Field.  The loss snapped the Pacers five-game non-conference winning streak.  Freshman Bradley Key crushed two home runs driving in four RBI for USCA.

Freshman hurler Rob Wilhite (1-1) did not survive the first inning, giving up four runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning in notching the loss for USCA.  Back-to-back singles by Mike Ely and Josh Cobb set up Brad Lane's two-RBI single to left center.  Nick Blandalso smacked a two-RBI single to center field for the Crusaders.

Belmont Abbey tacked on one in the fourth and three more in the fourth to pull out to an 8-0 lead.  A lead off double by Tavis Cummings, a single by Demetrick Drumming, and a two-run bomb by Key made the score 8-3.  After trading runs in the sixth, Key'ssecond homer of the night in the eighth inning set the final margin at 9-5.

Brandon Russell worked three innings of one-hit baseball in the no decision.  Brent Duckworth (3-0) notched his third win of the season in 2.2 innings of relief allowing two earned run on three hits and striking out four.

On a bright note for the Pacers, senior Andy Mitchell tossed 3.1 innings of relief holding Belmont Abbey scoreless and surrendering one hit while striking out three.

USC Aiken returns to the diamond this weekend for a Peach Belt Conference series at USC Spartanburg.  Friday's single game begins at 5:00 PM while Saturday's doubleheader starts at 12:00 PM.

Belmont Abbey     401 301 000 - 9 10 4 
USC Aiken              000 301 010 - 5 8 3