SAVANNAH, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a pair of games at Armstrong Friday afternoon, falling by scores of 8-2 and 9-4.

The Pacers are currently 17-8 overall and 0-2 in league play.

In the opener, head coach Jerry Snyder's team fell behind 3-0 after four frames, but battled back to pull within one at 3-2 in the top half of the fifth.

Magan Thrower led off the frame and reached first when the left fielder was unable to handle the fly ball. Shannon Traylor came in as a pinch runner, but was able to jog home when Sarah Montei belted a shot over the left field fence.

Andrea Daring followed her up with a solid single down the left field line, but a pinch runner came in for her and was caught stealing for the second out of the stanza. Brittney Williamson tried to get things going again with a single through the right side, but the Pacers were unable to capitalize.

USC Aiken managed just one hit over the final two innings as the Pirates tacked on five runs for the 8-2 win.

India Kornegay struck out 11, but suffered her first loss of the season but still threw a complete game.

The Pacers produced two runs in the top of the first inning of the second contest as Ashley Metts rocketed a shot off the Pirates' pitcher for a 2-0 lead. Kaitlyn White, who had led off the game with a walk, came home on the play.

The lead, however, was short lived as Armstrong loaded the bases with one out before a grand slam produced a 4-2 advantage.

USC Aiken knotted the score at 4-4 as the team scratched a run across home plate in the third and fourth frames. In the third, Madison Labrador struck out, but hustled to first as the catcher misplayed the pitch. Metts singled, putting runners on first and second. Thrower walked to load the bases. Then, Montei came through with a single to right, scoring Labrador. Samantha Chubb hit into a double play, ending the rally.

The Pacers tied the contest in the fourth when White's single allowed Makenzie Barbor to race home. Barbor had led off the inning with a double.

Armstrong broke the tie with two in the fourth, one in the fifth and two more in the sixth, securing the 9-4 win.

The Pacers will try to snap the four-game skid Sunday when they play at Flagler. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m.