AIKEN, S.C.  – The No. 2/8 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost an 8-5 decision to Lincoln Memorial Monday afternoon in the non-conference series finale.

The Pacers are now 2-1 on the young season.

The game passed by quickly as neither team could get much going for the first four innings. However, the Railsplitters got on top with a run in the fifth and another in the sixth for a 2-0 lead.

Head coach Kenny Thomas' team battled back, recording two runs in the bottom half of the sixth. With two down, Ben Donath doubled down the left field line and came around to score on Ty Barkell's double to left.

Trailing 2-1, Matt Bosse rocketed a pitch to the outfield, allowing Barkell to cross home. However, Bosse was thrown out at second base on the play, ending the rally.

The visitors regained the lead by plating four runs in the top of the seventh.

USC Aiken battled back in the bottom of the frame with two runs. With one down, Randy Luckett launched a single to left and moved to second on Ryan Metzler's one-base hit to right.

Corey Bryant walked to the plate as a pinch hitter and promptly laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt, allowing the Luckett and Metzler to scamper into scoring position. Sean Miller brought the two home with a single, bringing the score to 6-4.

LMU tacked on two in the top of the eighth and the Pacers managed to get one of the runs back. Barkell tripled to right field and scored on Bosse's single up the middle to make it 8-5 heading into the ninth frame.

For the game, Barkell, Bosse, Costen and Miller all had two hits in the contest. Bosse and Miller each drove in two while Barkell plated one. Barkell scored twice while Donath, Luckett and Metzler all crossed home during the game.

Taylor Peed worked five innings, striking out three while giving up just one earned run.

USC Aiken totaled five runs on 11 hits while LMU totaled eight runs on 12 hits. Neither squad committed an error.

The Pacers return to action Friday when they play host to Shepherd in the second game of the Prestige Appliance Classic. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.