AIKEN, S.C. – Behind three players with three hits the nationally fifth-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team erupted for a 13-1 victory over Shepherd on Saturday afternoon at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.

USC Aiken (7-1) out-hit Shepherd (0-2), 18-7, in the contest.

Bill Gerstenslager (Solon, Ohio/Mercyhurst) finished USC Aiken's win over Shepherd a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. He had two doubles, while scoring three runs to go along with an RBI. 

Pacer leadoff hitter Josh Miller (Chapin, S.C. / Chapin HS) was 3-for-5 at the dish in USC Aiken's win over Shepherd. He scored two runs, while also securing two RBIs. 

Ty Barkell (Denver, Colo./Palmer Ridge HS) closed out USC Aiken's 12-run win by going 3-for-4 at the plate. He scored one run and drove in another. 

Five Pacers had multiple hits overall with Bryce Baur (Moncks Corner, S.C./Florence-Darlington Tech) and Tyler Moore (Evans, Ga./Evans HS) ending the Pacer victory with two hits each. 

In total, 10 Pacers secured at least one hit. Miller and JJ Loker (Elkton, Va./Spotswood HS) both homered for the Pacers in the game. 

Ryan Messina led Shepherd in its loss with three hits.

Five Pacer pitchers combined to strike out eight and allow just one run. 

Pacer starter Derek Beasley (Harlem, Ga./Harlem HS) improved to 2-0 on the year by dealing five scoreless innings. He fanned six Rams. 

Josh McCauley suffered the loss for Shepherd. The Ram starter allowed eight runs in 4.1 innings on the mound.

USC Aiken will try and complete the sweep of Shepherd in the three-game series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17 at the 'Bert.