Box Score AIKEN, SC--The USCA Pacers wanted to put on a good showing on Alumni Day at J.H. Satcher Field today as the Pacers looked to even the weekend series with Lincoln Memorial. The Pacers hung on for a 16-15 victory over the Railsplitters as LMU scored five times in the ninth, but were not able to get the tying run.
Earlier in the day, the Pacers had their Alumni Day as a number of former Pacers were back to play this morning. Before the game, each former player was introduced. The Alumni put up a tent in right field and had a tailgatting party during the game.
The Railsplitters (14-4) got on the board in the first inning on a wild pitch by PBC Pitcher of the Week
Paul Ferrell. Ferrell earned the conference honor this week for his 7-0 shutout of Francis Marion last weekend. He allowed only two hits in a complete game win. However, this outing was different as he allowed eight hits, six runs, five earned, two walks and three srikeouts in four-and-one-third innings of work. The other run came on a double by Wade Vincent for the early lead.
The Pacers came right back in the bottom of the inning as Tavis Cummings hit a sacrifice fly, scoring
Leroy Walker and
Demetrick Drumming hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season, a solo shot to left field.
A three-up-three-down inning by the Rails gave the Pacers the chance to take the lead as they posted three runs in the second on four hits.
Clint Keown hit a two-run single to get things started and another single by
Sean Tiernan scored another run, highlighting the inning. LMU pitcher, Will Hill, only lasted one-and-one third innings, allowing five hits, five runs all earned and two walks.
Two more runs by the Pacers in the third inning gave the home team a 7-2 lead and looked to be in command of the game. However, just as in the game last night, LMU did its damage in the middle innings. The Railsplitters posted four runs in the middle frames, but instead of the shutting down the Pacers; USCA scored five runs in the middle innings to keep a 12-6 lead.
LMU posted four runs in the eighth inning, but the Pacers got two back in the bottom of the inning, leading 16-10 heading to the ninth.
Adam Green began the ninth for the Pacers but got into a jam with no outs in the inning. Head Coach
Kenny Thomas made a switch and brought in
Bradley Key. Mike Kaywood hit a double down the right field line, scoring the first two runs of the inning and a three-run homer by Vincent capped a five run inning by the Railsplitters. Key settled down and struckout the final two batters to preserve the win and earn his fourth save of the season.
These two teams will be back at it tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at J.H. Satcher Field.
Lincoln Mem. 200 130 045 - 15 14 1
USC Aiken 232 014 22X - 16 22 5
