AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State claimed its first ever Outback Cup victory in a 12-7 upset win over national No. 4 USC Aiken on Wednesday evening at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

The Pacers are now 6-1 all-time in Outback Cup games. The second game of the Fourth Annual Outback Cup will be contested at Roberto Hernandez Stadium on Wednesday, Apr. 18.

Augusta State (10-24) scored the first three runs of the game, but USC Aiken (22-9) was able to plate five in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead.

The score tied at 3-3 with two outs in the top of the fifth, Bill Gerstenslagler (Solon, Ohio/Mercyhurst) was able to double in the two go-ahead runs for USC Aiken in the frame.

In the bottom half of the fifth with two outs, Augusta State was able to load the bases. USC Aiken would walk in two runs to even the contest at 5-5.

USC Aiken would be able to retake the lead in the top of the seventh. Tyler Bourdo (Evans, Ga./Truett-McConnell College) reached base with two outs in the inning and then Will Tankersley (Thomson, Ga./Thomson) doubled him in to give the Pacers a 6-5 advantage.

Tankersley would then score when Ty Barkell (Denver, Colo./Palmer Ridge) singled him in to give USC Aiken a 7-5 lead.

In the bottom portion of the seventh inning, a squeeze bunt by Augusta State with runners at second and third would lead to two runs for the Jaguars. The two runs would even the game at 7-all.

Augusta State would go on to plate five runs in the bottom of the eighth to secure its upset win over USC Aiken.

Tankersley and Gerstenslagler led the Pacers in the contest with each collecting three hits.

Three Jaguars finished with two hits each.

Augusta State out-hit USC Aiken, 13-11, in the contest.

Taylor Grover (North Augusta, S.C./Midland Valley) suffered the loss for USC Aiken on the hill. Grover (0-2) was one of seven Pacer pitchers on the evening.

Chase Johnston pitched the final 2.1 innings to claim the win for Augusta State. He is 3-0 on the year.

The Pacers will next hit the road for a three-game league set with Flagler in St. Augustine, Fla.

The Peach Belt Conference East Division series will begin with a doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 31. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

The three-game conference series will close with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday, Apr. 1.