Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--Appearing in the program's first NCAA baseball regional in a dozen years, the 16th ranked USC Aiken Pacers (39-18) dropped a hard fought 3-1 decision to the host North Florida Ospreys (42-14) in Thursday evening's nightcap at Harmon Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The Pacers will now face Francis Marion, who lost to Kennesaw State, on Friday at 11:00 AM in an elimination contest. 

Steve Dunham and Jacob Dixon tossed a pair of solid complete game performances, but unfortunately the Ospreys came out with the upper hand. UNF has taken all four meetings with the Pacers this season. 

A three-run second inning proved to be the difference in the game. With two on and two outs, Dunham issued his second walk of the inning to load up the bases for Josh Howard. His single to left field was misplayed by Brandon Barenie allowing three runs to score. UNF would manage just three more hits the rest of the night. 

Steven Kinney's sacrifice fly in the fourth plated Daniel Quartararo who drew a leadoff walk to get the Pacers on the board and cut it to a two-run game at 3-1. 

Dixon (6-3) had the Pacers off balance at the plate all night going 9.0 innings allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks, striking out five in the win. 

Dunham (7-4) tossed 8.0 solid innings surrendering three runs, two earned, on five hits and five walks, fanning four in the loss. 

Howard led the Ospreys going 1-for-4 with two RBI. Robert Davis, Darryl Pui, Zach Cooper, and Barenie each had one hit for USC Aiken. 

The regional is a double-elimination format with the winner advancing to the 38th annual Division II College World Series held May 28 through June 4 in Montgomery, Ala. 

USC Aiken will face Francis Marion in the Pacers; third bid for their first 40-win season since 1993 and to stay alive in regional play. The game can be heard live on the web at www.UNFOspreys.com. 

#16 USC Aiken.............000 100 000 - 1 4 2
#4 North Florida...........030 000 00x - 3 5 1