AIKEN, S.C. – Head coach Jerry Snyder predicted his newcomers would make an immediate impact this season, and he was not wrong as the newcomers helped the University of South Carolina Aiken softball squad sweep their opening day doubleheader over the Tornados of Brevard College Saturday afternoon at J.H. Satcher Field. The Pacers took the first game 1-0 in nine innings before blowing the Tornados away 7-2 in the second game.

USC Aiken opens the 2011 season 2-0 with their sweep of their season-opener doubleheader while Brevard falls to an even 2-2 for the early season.

The first game progressed scoreless into extra innings as both teams' defenses stood tall before sophomore catcher Nicole Borden (Jacksonville, Fla./Bolles School) knocked a ball into deep left-center field for a double in the bottom of the ninth inning. With Haley Justice (North Augusta, S.C./Midland Valley) pinch running for Borden, junior college-transfer Kayla Denham (Palatka, Fla./Daytona State) ripped a double of her own down the left side to score Justice and give the Pacers the 1-0 victory.

In her collegiate debut inside the circle for the Pacers, freshman pitcher and high school standout India Kornegay (Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula) delivered a stellar performance to record the win, just missing out on recording the most strikeouts in a game as she fanned 14 batters including nine in the first three innings. Her 14 strikeouts were one shy of the record of 15 strikeouts most recently set by Stacie Oakley in a game against Mars Hill on Feb. 10, 2006.

The Pacer bats came alive early and remained hot in the second game as the Pacers easily bested the Tornados 7-2.

Already up by one at 2-1 heading into the fourth inning, USC Aiken batted around the order, putting five more runs across the dish before Brevard could put a stop to the Pacers' drive.

Justice, designated player Brittney Williamson (Lexington, S.C./White Knoll), Lindsey Jones (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta), Denham and Whitney Clary (Newberry, S.C./Newberry) all scored in the bottom of the fourth inning as Brevard struggled to silence USC Aiken's bats.

The Tornados were only able to muster one final run in the sixth inning before relinquishing the victory to the Pacers.

Junior transfer Kylee Knop (Oxford, Ga./Kirkwood) recorded the win in the circle for USC Aiken in the second game striking out four batters in her seven innings of work to start her 2011 campaign 1-0.

Alyssa Miller suffered her first loss of the young season as she pitched just three and a third innings for the Tornados to move to 1-1.

Denham was the top producer on offense for USC Aiken in her debut in the leadoff position. The centerfielder went a combined 3-for-7 with four RBIs and one run scored.

The Pacers will look to look to sweep their opening weekend tomorrow as they take on the Bears of Shaw University for their second doubleheader in two days at J.H. Satcher Field. First pitch of the first game is scheduled to leave the circle at 1 p.m.