Box Score AIKEN, S.C.--
Justin Williams,
Casey Derhak, and
Steven Kinney combined for 10 hits and nine RBI as the USC Aiken Pacers (15-6) closed out a three-game sweep of visiting Martin Methodist University (8-14) by the count of 13-5 in non-conference baseball Sunday afternoon at Roberto Hernandez Stadium. In three games combined, the Pacers outscored the Redhawks 50-13.
Williams was a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI, three runs scored, a triple, and his first home run of the season. Derhak went 4-for-6 on the afternoon with three extra base hits including a leadoff triple in the fifth inning to break the school's single season record for three-baggers with six. Kinney was 3-for-4 with four RBI, three runs scored, a pair of walks, and his third homer of the year.
The Pacers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second following RBI hits by Williams,
Scott Wandless, Derhak, and Quartararo, with all by Williams' hit being a double.
Kinney homered to lead off the third while
Zach Cooper had an RBI bunt single down the first base line to extend the margin to 7-0.
MMU posted two runs in the fourth on a Jesse Thornton triple to right center cutting the margin back to 7-2. Thornton went 1-for-4 with two of the team's four RBI.
But the Pacers answered with three in the home half of the fourth as well as tacking on two more in the fifth and one in the sixth to pull away to the 13-5 win.
Peden Rucker (3-1) tossed 6.0 innings of work allowing three runs, one earned, on four hits, striking out six in the win.
Randall Henry (1-4) was chased after 3.1 innings surrendering 10 earned runs on 10 hits and three walks, notching one strikeout in the loss for the Redhawks.
USC Aiken will conclude its seven-game homestand on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 15-16, with a two-game set with Barton College. Both game times are set for 6:00 PM.
Martin Methodist........000 201 200 - 5 6 0
USC Aiken.....................043 321 00x - 13 16 2
E - Derhak(7); Quartararo(3). DP - Redhawks 1; Pacers 1. LOB - Redhawks 6; Pacers 10. 2B - Standridge(2); Derhak 2(5); Quartararo(5); S. Wandless(2). 3B - Thornton(2); Bearden(1); Derhak(6); J. Williams(1). HR - Kinney(3); J. Williams(1). HBP - Rocha; Greany; Davis; Joehnk. SH - Joehnk(3). SF - Standridge(1); Kinney(1). SB - Kimbrough(5); Hatcher(2).
