Box Score AIKEN, S.C.--Every team will face adversity at some point during the season, and that came yesterday for USC Aiken as the 10th ranked Pacers dropped a doubleheader to the Augusta State Jaguars (23-18-1, 8-12-1 PBC). But like the special season they are putting together, the Pacers (30-10, 11-7 PBC) responded with a 6-5 win in the series finale before a record crowd of nearly 1,200 at Roberto Hernandez Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, the Pacers remain in third in the Peach Belt Conference standings trailing #3 North Florida and #18 Kennesaw State. USCA is now an impressive 11-2 in one-run games and 26-1 when scoring at least six runs.
ASU jumped on the Pacers early with two unearned runs in the first inning. Following a lead off single to left field by Chris Demons, the Pacers committed three errors, including two on the same play, as Demons and Lee Rose scored.
Rose singled home Allen Greg in the second to push the bulge to 3-0.
The Pacers got things rolling in the third with two on and one out as
Daniel Quartararo singled to left field.
Darryl Pui scored on the single but
Zach Cooper was cut down at the plate on a nice outfield assist by Demons.
Robert Davis promptly doubled home Quartararo to make it a 3-2 ballgame.
The score remained 3-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh when the Pacers' offense erupted for four runs on five hits to push in front 6-3. With two on and one out, Cooper singled to left field driving in
Justin Williams to tie the game. As starting pitcher Justin Walker was lifted for reliever Cody Williams,
Casey Derhak greeted him to the game with an RBI triple to right center plating Cooper and Pui, giving the Pacers the 5-3 lead. Quartararo tacked on what would be the game winning run when he singled in Derhak to make it 6-3.
Derhak, who entered the weekend ranked 10th in Division II in triples, now owns the school's career record for three-baggers with eight after just half a season as a Pacer. Aside from going 2-for-3 on the day with two RBI, he also shut down the Jags in the ninth for his second save of the year.
Demons' two-out double to left center in the eighth brought around Greg and pinch runner Justin Vorherr to make it interesting at 6-5, but Derhak closed the door in the ninth striking out the PBC's home run leader Garrick McGrath to end the game.
Quartararo went 2-for-4 with two RBI while Davis' only hit was the RBI double, but it was enough to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. Pui also registered two hits and two runs scored.
Demons was 3-for-5 with two RBI for Augusta State while Rose and Greg also had two hits each.
Peden Rucker scattered 10 hits over 7.2 innings allowing five runs, three earned, on one walk and six strikeouts in the no decision. Wandless got the final out of the eighth and Derhak (2) tossed the ninth.
Walker (2-4) was chased after 6.1 innings allowing five earned runs on eight hits and two walks, fanning one in the loss.
Now with their fifth-straight 30-win season, USC Aiken will host St. Andrews on Tuesday, April 12 at 6:30 PM at Roberto Hernandez Stadium. Augusta State will play at Paine College at 3:00 PM, also on Tuesday.
Augusta State..........210 000 020 - 5 11 0
#10 USC Aiken..........002 000 40x - 6 11 3
E - Joehnk(12); Rucker 2(3). DP - Jaguars 1. LOB - Jaguars 10; Pacers 4. 2B - Demons(8); Greg(1); Davis(15). 3B - Derhak(8). HBP - McGrath. SH - Mayfield(3); Derhak(4); Joehnk(8); Barenie(9). CS - Demons(1); Joehnk(1).
