AIKEN, S.C. – The 17th-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team dropped a non-conference match-up to South Atlantic Conference foe Catawba Tuesday evening 4-2 at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.

The loss drops the Pacers to 13-5 on the season while Catawba is now 15-5.

The Indians took an early 2-0 lead right from the start in the first inning and held that lead until USC Aiken answered in the bottom of the second inning.

J.J. Loker (Elkton, Va./Spotswood) and Tripp Warrick (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta) both scored in the bottom of the inning to tie the score for USC Aiken.

However, the Indians would prevail in the top of the sixth inning as they pushed another pair of runs across the plate to go up 4-2. They would hold that lead through the closing moments of the game to secure the victory over the nationally-ranked Pacers.

Ryan Milewski (West Boylston, Md./West Boylston) suffered his first loss of the season to fall to 0-1 after striking out five batters.

John Tuttle improved to 2-1 for 2011 after recording the win on the mound for Catawba, while Nick Lomascolo recorded his first save of the season in one inning of relief work that saw him retire three batters.

The Pacers and Indians will renew their rivalry tomorrow with a 1 p.m. single game at the 'Bert before USC Aiken hits the road for the first time this season for a three-game weekend series in Greenwood, S.C. against Peach Belt Conference foe Lander.