AIKEN, S.C. – The nationally sixth-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team opened its 2013 Peach Belt Conference campaign on Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Francis Marion at Roberto Hernandez Stadium. 

USC Aiken (9-1, 1-0 PBC) entered the ninth clinging to a 2-1 advantage. Francis Marion (4-4, 0-1 PBC) would then tie the game at 2-2 with a run in the top of the inning.

The Pacers would not be deterred as they plated a run of their own in the home half of the inning to claim the dramatic 3-2 win. 

Ryan Metzler (Glen Burnie, Md./Siena) started off the bottom of the ninth for USC Aiken when he singled to right field. Tyler Moore (Evans, Ga./Evans HS) would then step up to the plate to sacrifice Metzler to second. Moore's bunt would turn into a single though, leaving runners at first and second with no outs.

The Pacers would then score the game-winning run when Metzler scored from second on an error by the first baseman on another sacrifice bunt attempt by the Pacers. 

USC Aiken overall out-hit Francis Marion, 7-6, in its win. 

Bryce Baur (Moncks Corner, S.C./Florence-Darlington Tech) was the only Pacer with multiple hits as he was 2-for-4 with a run scored. 

Stephen Tarkenton led the Patriots in their loss with two hits.

Taylor Grover (North Augusta, S.C./Midland Valley HS) claimed the win on the mound for USC Aiken. Grover is now 1-0 on the year. 

Pacer starter Ryan Milewski (West Boylston, Mass./West Boylston HS) pitched the first eight innings of the game. Milewski fanned eight. 

One of four pitchers on the day for the Patriots, Brandon Stoots (0-1) suffered the loss in the game for Francis Marion. 

The USC Aiken-Francis Marion three-game league series will close with a doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 24 at Roberto Hernandez Stadium. The first game of the twinbill is scheduled for 1 p.m.