Box Score LORENCE, S.C.--USC Aiken (19-6, 9-1 PBC) passed its first test against a ranked opponent Saturday, scoring twice in the top of the ninth and holding on for a 7-6 victory over #24 Francis Marion (19-9, 7-6 PBC) in game one of a three-game Peach Belt Conference baseball series in Florence, S.C. The #11 Pacers used a two-RBI single from junior Chad Jacobsen to break a 5-5 tie and give the visitors a 7-5 lead. Senior Gary Lee came on to get the last two outs in the ninth for his sixth save. 

The Pacers surrendered an early 5-1 lead to the host Patriots and entered the ninth in a deadlock. Brad Johnson led off the inning with a pinch-hit single up the middle. Matt Key pinch ran for Johnson, then Darryl Pui walked before Ben Tankersley's third sacrifice bunt of the game put runners on second and third with one out for Jacobsen. The first baseman ripped a single to left field, scoring Key and then Pui with the eventual game-winner. 

USCA starter Scott Wandless stayed in to start the ninth, but was relieved by Mark Yarbrough after allowing a leadoff walk to Andy Howes. The reliever hit Ryan Hypke to put Patriot runners on first and second with no outs. Derek Kennamer then struck out when he was unable to get a bunt down with two strikes. A walk to Justin Greene loaded the bases and forced Pacer head coach Kenny Thomas to call for Lee from the pen. 

Nick Stewart's fielder's choice scored Howes and left runners on the corners with two outs. Lee then got the Patriots' cleanup hitter Michael Ward to pop up to the shortstop to end the game. 

Francis Marion jumped out on top in the first inning when Ward hit an RBI double to right center to make it 1-0. The Pacers tied the game in the top of the second on an RBI groundout from senior Zach Cooper. 

USCA started to pull away in the third, scoring four runs on three hits and being aided by one Patriot error. In the inning, the Pacers got RBI hits from Chris Sheehan, Ken Raborn, and Josh Eachus, and an RBI sacrifice bunt from Marc Joehnk. 

The Patriots battled back, getting one run in the bottom half of the third and three more in the fifth to tie the game. All three of the runs in the fifth inning were unearned due to a Pacer error. 

Wandless (6-0) stayed perfect on the season and won his 16th consecutive decision dating back to last season. The junior southpaw logged 8.0 innings pitched, allowing eight hits and six runs while walking two. However, only three of the runs were earned and Wandless struck out 11 batters. 

Jacobsen finished the day 2-for-5 with the two RBI while Raborn was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

The two teams will finish their three-game conference series tomorrow afternoon at Cormell Field in Florence with a doubleheader. The first pitch is slated for 1:00 PM.


Game One
USC Aiken................. 014 000 002 – 7 9 1
Francis Marion......... 101 030 001 – 6 8 3

Win – Wandless (6-0); Loss – Johnson (2-1); Save – Lee (6)
E – Joehnk(7); Barkdoll; Phelps; Kypke. LOB – USC Aiken 7, Francis Marion 7. 2B – Pui(8); Ward(17); Barkdoll(10). 3B – Hypke(1). HBP – Hypke. SH – Tankersley 3(7); Joehnk 2(8); Eachus(2); Greene. SB – Raborn(2); Greene.