AIKEN, S.C. – A three-run, two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth inning allowed the nationally fifth-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team to obtain a 3-1 victory over Shepherd on Friday afternoon at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, USC Aiken's Ben Donath (Aiken, S.C./Middle Georgia) singled through the left side to tie the game up at 1-1.

Bill Gerstenslager (Solon, Ohio/Mercyhurst) then doubled down the right field line to score two more runs for the Pacers.

The three runs would prove to be all the Pacers would need in their eventual two-run win.

USC Aiken (6-1) and Shepherd (0-1) each finished the game with six hits.

Gerstenslager was the only Pacer with multiple hits. He ended his afternoon 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Chad Murphy led Shepherd in its season opener with two hits.

Four Pacer pitchers combined to strike out nine Rams.

USC Aiken starter Ryan Milewski (West Boylston, Mass./West Boylston HS) claimed the win on the hill. Milewski (1-1) pitched six innings, striking out five.

Pacer closer Taylor Grover (North Augusta, S.C./Midland Valley HS) acquired his second save of the year in the contest by pitching a scoreless ninth. He struck out two in the ninth.

Shepherd starter Paul Hvozdovic (0-1) suffered the loss in the game. He struck out four, while allowing the three Pacer runs in his six innings on the mound.

USC Aiken and Shepherd will continue their three-game series with a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Roberto Hernandez Stadium. The series will close with a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday, Feb. 17.