AIKEN, S.C. – Down one in the final inning with Josh Miller on second, JJ Loker did not allow the new composite bats to hinder his hitting abilities as he ripped the game-winning, two-run home run over the left field wall to lead the No. 20 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team to victory over the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters 6-5 Sunday afternoon at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.

The victory allowed the Pacers (2-1) to claim the opening series of the 2011 season over the Railsplitters (1-2) for the first time since the 2008 season.

Neither team could manufacture much in the way of offense through the first four and a half innings before Miller (Chapin, S.C./Chapin) continued his stout opening weekend with a double down the left foul line to bring Teddy Leverette (Evans, Ga./Truett-McConnell) across the plate in the bottom of the fifth, giving the Pacers a 1-0 lead.

However, in the top of the very next inning, the Railsplitters broke through with three runs off three hits and a Pacer error to claim the lead.

Lincoln Memorial extended their lead to 4-1 in the top of the seventh with another run pushed across the dish, but USC Aiken made a run in the bottom of the inning with three runs of their own to knot the game at four.

Cody Baker would give the Railsplitters their second lead of the day in the top of the eighth inning, and appeared to be cruising to victory as they held the Pacers to three and out in the bottom of the inning.

The Pacer defense behind senior right-handed hurler Jeremy Smith stepped up in the top of the final inning to keep Lincoln Memorial close and give the Pacers a shot at claiming the series.

Miller led off with a single up the middle to the delight of the Pacer faithful, and then caught the Lincoln Memorial catcher off guard as he stole second base, setting up Loker's game-winning opportunity.

With no outs and Miller in prime scoring position, Loker (Elkton, Va.Spotswood) stepped up when he was needed most, cranking his game-winning home run, his first of the season, over the leftfield wall with plenty of room to spare.

Smith (Minter, Ala./Southern Union) picked up his first win of the season on the hill in two full innings of relief for freshman starting pitcher Derek Beasley (Harlem, Ga./Harlem). Beasley pitched five innings giving up no runs and fanning five batters in his collegiate debut.

Lincoln Memorial's Chase Quarles took the loss in the contest in just over one inning.

Leverette and Miller were the top offensive performers for USC Aiken. Leverette went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Miller was 2-for-3 with one run and an RBI.

John Couch was the Railsplitter's top performer as he went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

USC Aiken will be back in action next weekend when the Buccaneers of Barry University visit Aiken for a three game weekend series. Action will get started at Roberto Hernandez Stadium on Friday with a 4 p.m. game with a 1 p.m. match up on the diamond scheduled for Saturday. The final game of the series will be at 12 p.m. on Sunday.