AIKEN, S.C. – The nationally 17^th-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team scored four runs in the first inning and then never looked back in a 7-3 win over Chowan on Tuesday evening at Roberto Hernandez Stadium. 

Stephen Carmon (Camden, S.C./Camden) got things going for the Pacers in the first frame with a single. He then stole second to get in scoring position. A couple batters later, Nick Aranas (Lexington, S.C./Lexington) sent a sacrifice fly to right field to bring in Carmon. 

With Bryce Baur (Moncks Corner, S.C./Florence-Darlington Tech) on second shortly thereafter, Bill Gerstenslagler (Solon, Ohio/Mercyhurst) then doubled in Baur to give the Pacers a 2-0 advantage in the game.

The Pacers would add two more from there to own the commanding 4-0 lead.

Chowan would plate three in the top of the fifth to cut things to one run, but an undeterred Pacer squad scored three in its final two at-bats to take the four-run win.

USC Aiken doubled up Chowan, 12-6, in total hits in the contest.

Will Tankersley (Thomson, Ga./Thomson) led the Pacers in the game. He was 3-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI. 

He was one of three Pacers with multiple hits. Carmon was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI in the contest, while Kevin Gifford was 2-for-3 with one run scored. 

Justin Bagbey claimed three of Chowan's six hits in the game. 

Taylor Peed (St. Leonard, Md./Calvert) picked up the win on the hill for the Pacers in relief of starter Kelly Holt. (Stockbridge, Ga. /Middle Georgia). Peed is now 2-0 on the year.

Tyler Ross (0-4) suffered the loss on the hill for Chowan. He allowed six of the seven Pacer runs.

USC Aiken (13-4) and Chowan (10-11) will close out their two-game mid-week set with a 6 p.m. game tomorrow (Wednesday, March 7).