Box Score PEMBROKE, N.C.--An unlikely hero in the form of Tom Porricelli singled to right field with two outs in the bottom of the 12th to score Ty Morris as UNC Pembroke (15-9, 3-9 PBC) rallied to knock off 12th-ranked USC Aiken (17-6, 8-1 PBC) 3-2 in extra innings on Sunday afternoon at Sammy Cox Field. The loss snaps an incredible run for the Pacers. Having started PBC play at 8-0, their best start in school history, the eight-straight league victories mark the longest winning streak in the program's 16-year PBC history. The Braves avoid their third-straight sweep at the hands of USCA. (PHOTO BY EDDIE SHERRER)
Porricelli was only in the game because Braves' third baseman Chris Beck was ejected in the fifth inning for arguing with the home plate umpire. As it would turn out, Porricelli went 1-for-3 with the game winning RBI.
In a classic pitchers' duel through five complete, USC Aiken grabbed the 1-0 lead with two outs in the sixth.
Ken Raborn singled through the left side, advanced to second on a passed ball, and then on to third on a
Josh Eachues single to right field.
Marc Joehnk slapped the first pitch he saw from Jordan Carter through the left side to plate Raborn.
Eachues and Joehnk each finished 2-for-5 while
Zach Cooper also added a 2-for-5 afternoon. Five other Pacers had one hit each as USC Aiken out-hit UNC Pembroke 11-6.
Carter tossed 8.0 innings, scattering seven hits and one walk, allowing just one unearned run, striking out two in the no-decision. Brian Willis (3-0) worked the final 4.0 innings for the win.
UNC Pembroke quickly countered with a lead-off double by Josh Bentley in the bottom of the sixth. Following a sacrifice bunt to move Bentley to third, Kevin Dietrich's RBI groundout to shortstop knotted the game at 1-1. Dietrich recorded two of the team's three RBI while Derek Funk was the lone Brave with a multiple-hit day going 2-for-4.
Still 1-1 in the ninth,
Ben Tankersley made a game-saving play in left field for the Pacers. Jason Morales blasted the first pitch of the inning seemingly over the wall in left, but Tankersley reached over the fence to bring back the walk-off homer.
If once was not enough, Tankersley struck again, this time with two outs in the 10th inning as he again went over the wall to bring back another would-be game-winner, this time off the bat of Stuart Champion.
With momentum on their side,
Chris Sheehan (7) led off the 11th with a solo shot to right field, putting USC Aiken on top 2-1.
Beau Hill had worked 9.0 innings, holding the Braves to just one run on three hits and one walk, fanning three in a no-decision.
Mark Yarbrough pitched a perfect 10th inning.
Down to their last out, Dietrich homered to left field off closer
Gary Lee to force a third extra frame.
Adam Hamrick singled to right field with one out in the home half of the 12th and was pinch run for by Morris. Following a wild pitch and a ground out, Morris was on third with two away. Porricelli sent the first pitch from Lee out to right field for the walk-off RBI single.
Lee (0-1) was charged with two earned runs on three hits in 1.2 innings of relief.
USC Aiken finds its tied atop the PBC standings with Georgia College & State at 8-1. The Pacers return home to host Limestone College on Wednesday, March 14 at 6:00 PM at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.
#12 USC Aiken........000 001 000 010 - 2 11 2
UNC Pembroke......000 001 000 011 - 3 6 1
Note: 2 outs, 1 runner LOB when the game ended.
E - Raborn(10); Joehnk(6); Bowman(9). DP - UNC Pembroke 1. LOB - USC Aiken 10; UNC Pembroke 5. 2B - Jacobsen(10); Bentley(5). HR - Sheehan(7); Dietrich(4). HBP - Morales. SH - Funk(2); Bowman(1). CS - Dietrich(3).
