Box Score AIKEN, SC--USC Aiken (0-2) took a 7-4 lead into the seventh inning, but allowed four unearned runs over the final seven outs of the game in falling 8-7 to Carson-Newman (2-0) in the inaugural series finale at the new 1,000-seat Roberto Hernandez Stadium. Blustery conditions did not keep the two teams from combining for 15 runs on 19 hits.

Carson-Newman got on the board first with a pair of runs in the second inning following back-to-back RBI doubles from Nick Jacobs and Derrick Calkin off USCA starter Wes McColl (0-1). McColl lasted just 3.0 innings allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits and one walk, striking out one in the loss. As a team, the Eagles banged out six doubles on the afternoon. 

USCA countered with three in the bottom half of the inning on a pair of Carson-Newman miscues. Jacobs dropped Derek Gordon's flyout to center field allowing Matt Tripp and Tony Hanks to score. 

In the third, the fireworks continued. Charlie Munroe and Calkin doubled to push across two more for Carson-Newman to make it 4-3. Calkin led the Eagles going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Brian Chapman was 2-for-4 with three runs scored while Jacobs was 2-for-3 with one RBI, one run scored, and two walks. 

With two outs in the bottom of the inning, Tripp drew a walk off starter Sean McGowan to bring to the plate Bradley Key. With a 1-1 count, Key (1) crushed a two-run blast over the 330-sign in left field to push USCA in front 5-4 and mark the first ever home run in Roberto Hernandez Stadium history. 

USCA added two insurance runs in the sixth on an Ashley Farr double to left center and Chris Sheehan's single through the right side of the infield to make it 7-4. 

But over the final 2.2 innings, Carson-Newman capitalized on four Pacer errors, one hit batsman, three walks (two intentional), one wild pitch, and one passed ball to plate four runs on just two hits.
Calkin singled through the left side with one out in the top of the ninth to bring around Chapman and take the 8-7 lead. The Pacers were set down in order in their last at bat. 

McGowan also lasted just 3.0 innings allowing five runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks in the no decision. Brandon Wright worked 3.0 innings of relief giving up two earned runs on three hits and one walk but recorded five strikeouts. Paul Davis (1-0) tossed a perfect final 3.0 innings with two strikeouts in the win. 

USCA sent Peden Rucker, Jerod Summer, Paul Ferrell, Harold Sofield, and Nick Wandless to the mound in relief. Sofield (0-1) surrendered just one unearned run on one walk and no hits in 1.0 inning of work, but was the unfortunate recipient of the loss. 

Brandon Barenie had a perfect day at the plate for USCA going 3-for-3. 

USC Aiken starts the year 0-2 for the first time since the 1999 season. The Pacers will host Lincoln Memorial University in a three-game weekend series starting Friday, February 6 at 4:00 PM. 

Carson-Newman........022 000 121 - 8 11 2
USC Aiken....................032 002 000 - 7 8 4