AIKEN, S.C. - The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team was able to win the second game of its season-opening doubleheader to split with Catawba at J.H. Satcher Field Saturday afternoon.

Catawba (2-1) earned a 5-1 victory in game one, while USC Aiken (1-1) garnered a 3-2 victory over Catawba in game two.

The Pacers will next be in action Sunday, Feb. 10 as they travel to Charlotte to take on Queens (2-5). The game against Queens begins a season-long road trip of five straight doubleheaders. They will not return home until Feb. 24 to host Brevard at 2 p.m.

Game 1: Catawba 5, USC Aiken 1 

The USC Aiken softball team dropped their season opener to the Catawba Indians, 5-1.

Preseason All-Peach Belt Conference pitcher India Kornegay (Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula HS) struck out 18 Indians in the complete game performance. The 18 strikeouts set the new program-record for strikeouts in a single game.

Lindsey Jones (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta HS) was the offensive star for the Pacers in game one, hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning to tie the score. No Pacers were able to acquire multiple hits in the game.

Kornegay (0-1) had a strong performance for six innings in which she only gave up one run. The seventh inning did the Pacers in as the Indians loaded the bases on a hit, an error and a walk. Then, after two more strikeouts, Mollie Kovalcin hit a grand slam to put Catawba ahead for good. The home run was the second of the game for Kovalcin, as she hit a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Carley Tysinger (1-0) earned the win for Catawba in game. She struck out 10 Pacers.

Game 2: USC Aiken 3, Catawba 2

The Pacers were able to salvage the split behind another strong pitching performance, this time by freshman Taylor Morgan (Chapin, S.C./Chapin HS).  Morgan (1-0) pitched a complete game, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out 10.

Brittney Williamson (Lexington, S.C./White Knoll HS) provided some offensive fireworks for the Pacers in game two with a solo home run. Kaitlyn White (McAllen, Texas/College of Charleston) was also an offensive catalyst, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Sarah Montei (Summerville, S.C./Summerville HS) picked up the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the fifth. The hit was her first as a Pacer.

No Catawba player was able to pick up multiple hits in the game.

Emily Huneycutt (0-1) took the loss in game two for Catawba. She gave up all three Pacer runs.