AIKEN, S.C. – The crowds packed the park Sunday afternoon at Roberto Hernandez Stadium to take advantage of the beautiful Spring weather and provided an excellent game-environment for all in attendance, but the University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team (19-15, 4-11 PBC) came up just short in 11 innings as the Pacers dropped the rubber game in their Peach Belt Conference series with the Flagler College Saints (14-19, 5-10 PBC), 5-4.

After Flagler claimed the first run in the top of the second inning, the Pacers raced out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the third inning. JJ Loker (Elkton, Va./Spotswood) led the early charge when he scored off a triple by Adam Spires (Gilbert, S.C./Gilbert) who then crossed the dish to score when Josh Attaway (Lexington, S.C./Lexington) reached base safely due to a throwing error by the Flagler shortstop.

Stephen Carmon (Camden, S.C./Camden) scored in the next inning off a wild pitch after ripping a triple to deep right-center field.

With the positive momentum appearing to favor USC Aiken, Flagler was able to turn the tides, getting one run back in the fourth inning before Ollie Bertrand homered over the right field wall, scoring Kyle Foti as well to put the Saints on top 4-3.

Attempting to swing the momentum back in their favor, the Pacers loaded the sacks in an attempt to foil the Saints' plans in the bottom of the fifth. However, with two outs registered, the Flagler right fielder made a diving catch, corralling in a fly ball to end the inning.

Teddy Leverett (Evans, Ga./Truett-McConnell) knotted the score at four-all in the bottom of the sixth inning by batting in Spires from second base with a single up the middle.

The run would be the last one scored in regulation as the game would continue into the 11th inning where the Saints were able to push ahead by with the go-ahead run. Bertrand sent a foul sacrifice fly out to left field, giving Nate Fudala enough time to make it home from third and ultimately win the game for the Saints.

Spires and Leverett led USC Aiken's offensive efforts in the contest with both going 2-for-4 at the plate. Spires also tallied two runs and both recorded an RBI.

Jeremy Smith (Minter, Ala./Southern Union) recorded the extra-inning loss on the mound for USC Aiken to fall to 3-3 for 2011 while Max Rusch (5-1) secured the victory for Flagler. Tyler McKendree pitched the final inning to record his second save of the year.

USC Aiken will take a day off from their league schedule on Tuesday, April 5 with a single game against Young Harris. First pitch is slated to leave the mound at 6 p.m.