AUGUSTA, Ga. – Behind strong pitching, the University of South Carolina Aiken picked up a 6-0 non-conference victory over rival Augusta State in the first game of the Third Annual Outback Cup at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

USC Aiken (18-13) is now 5-0 in Outback Cup games against Augusta State (15-20).

The second game of the annual non-conference classic between USC Aiken and Augusta State will be played at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 20 at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.

The Pacers arrived on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Dylan Durham (Trenton, S.C./Strom Thurmond) got things rolling for the Pacers in the frame by doubling to left field.

Teddy Leverett (Evans, Ga. /Truett- McConnell College) then forced the Augusta State first baseman into an error that allowed Durham to come home for a 1-0 Pacer lead.

USC Aiken added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Leverett singled in Josh Attaway (Lexington, S.C./Lexington) to earn the Pacers a 2-0 lead before Josh Miller (Chapin, S.C./Chapin) singled to left field to bring in Durham for his second run in as many innings. Durham's second run of the game garnered USC Aiken a 3-0 lead.

In the eighth inning the Pacers were able to add two more runs. Tripp Warrick (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta) acquired the first run of the frame for USC Aiken when he singled in Stephen Bellantoni (Oviedo, Fla. /Lake Sumter CC).

Leverett then singled in Zachary Kilday (Lilburn, Ga. /South Georgia College) a few batters later to give the Pacers a five-run advantage.

The Pacers added one final run in the top of the ninth when Tyler Bourdo (Evans, Ga. /Truett- McConnell College) singled in JJ Loker (Elkton, Va./Spotswood).

Three Pacers finished with multiple hits in the game with Leverett, Miller and Loker all collecting two hits.

In total, USC Aiken out-hit Augusta State, 11-3.

Freshman hurler Derek Beasley (Harlem, Ga./Harlem) dealt the first eight innings of the win over Augusta State. Beasley allowed just two hits, while striking out five. He is now 3-3 on the year.

Joe Tart (Charlotte, N.C. /Marion Military College) closed things out for Beasley by pitching a scoreless ninth.

Augusta State pitcher Kip Custer fell to 0-3 on the year with his loss on the hill. Custer allowed three runs and five hits in 3.1 innings on the mound.

Custer was one of six pitchers on the evening for Augusta State.

USC Aiken will next close the week by welcoming Flagler to Roberto Hernandez Stadium for a three-game series.

The three-game league set will commence with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 2. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. The second game of the twinbill will get underway shortly after the conclusion of game one.

The series will finish with a single 1 p.m. game on Sunday, April 3.