FLORENCE, S.C. - The University of South Carolina Aikens softball team dropped two games to Francis Marion in its first Peach Belt Conference doubleheader on Thursday.

The Pacers fell in extra innings, 2-1, in game one and dropped game two, 5-3, at the FMU Softball Stadium.

The Pacers will next be in action at home on Saturday as they play host to nationally 14^th-ranked Flagler College. The first pitch of the doubleheader at J.H. Satcher Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Game 1: Francis Marion 2, USC Aiken 1 (Nine Innings)

USC Aiken dropped game one in the ninth inning, 2-1, as Francis Marion was able to push across a run late.

This was the second straight day the Pacers played in an extra-inning game in the first game of a doubleheader. The Pacers defeated Wingate in 10 innings yesterday, 1-0, in the first game of that doubleheader.

The Pacers were able to take an early lead in the second inning when Victoria Burkett scored on a single by Hillary Stewart. Burkett (Gilbert, S.C./Gilbert HS) got on base by smacking a triple in the gap that would roll all the way to the fence.

The Patriots would come back to tie the game at one in the fifth inning. Kelsi Thuer would single, then Cat Zalud reached base on an error which put runners on second and third. Taylor Luff would then single up the middle to drive in Thuer.

Taylor Morgan would come in to relieve India Kornegay in the seventh inning, and neither team would be able to end the game in regulation. The game remained tied until the ninth inning.

USC Aiken managed two hits in extra innings, but would not be able to capitalize on either base runner.

The bottom of the ninth inning saw Megan Smith lead off for the Patriots with a single. She would advance to third on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out to Cortney Sadler (Bradenton, Fla./State College of Fla., Manatee-Sarasota). After a walk to Zalud, Luff would hit a come-backer to Morgan (Chapin, S.C./Chapin HS) that scored Smith from third as the Pacer defense was unable to make a play.

The Pacers out-hit the Patriots, 9-5, in the game. Stewart (Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood HS), Brittney Williamson and Lindsey Jones were able to collect multiple hits in the game. Stewart led the offense for USC Aiken by going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Luff was the only Patriot to collect multiple hits, along with 2 RBIs. She also garnered the win in the circle making her record 8-5 on the year.

Morgan (6-3) took the loss for the Pacers in game one, pitching 2.2 innings and giving up one run. Kornegay (Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula HS) pitched six innings, striking out six and did not surrender any earned runs.

Game 2: Francis Marion 5, USC Aiken 3

Francis Marion would come from behind again in game two to defeat USC Aiken, 5-3, to sweep the doubleheader.

Luff would score the first run in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Carly Madigan.

The Pacers would plate two runs in the third inning to claim a 2-1 lead. Jones (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta HS) drove in Sarah Montei to start the scoring for USC Aiken. Jones would later score on an error coming off the bat of Stewart.

USC Aiken would extend its lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning by way of Andrea Daring's bat and the feet of Shannon Traylor. Traylor came in to pinch run after Daring (Ridgeland, S.C./Thomas Heyward Academy) singled. Traylor (Prosperity, S.C./Mid-Carolina HS) would steal a base and advance the next two bases on wild pitches.

The Patriots were able to push across four runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good. Luff scored on a deep sacrifice fly to center to start the scoring, and Olivia Ferguson drove in Kristie Hanewinckel for the second run. Francis Marion would add two more unearned runs to take a lead they would never surrender.

USC Aiken and Francis Marion would both end game two with eight hits. Montei (Summerville, S.C./Summerville HS) and Williamson (Lexington, S.C./White Knoll HS) would each pick up two hits for the Pacers in the loss.

Luff, Hanewinckel, and Tristian Faile would all collect two hits for Francis Marion. Luff also scored two runs in the game.

Morgan would take her second loss of the day, dropping her to 6-4 on the season. Katie Carnes (5-1) earned the win for Francis Marion.