AUGUSTA, Ga. – The No. 17 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team jumped on top of GRU Augusta early and never looked back en route to the 6-3 victory Friday evening in a Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Pacers are now 28-10 overall, including a 14-8 mark against conference competition.

Head coach Kenny Thomas' team plated three runs in the first inning. Kody Belcher got things started with a single up the middle. He promptly moved to third when Tyler Moore registered a base hit into center field. Moore stole second and Ty Barkell walked with one down.

Ryan Metzler brought Belcher and Moore home as he ripped a single through the left side. Barkell swiftly stole third and scored just prior to Metzler being caught in a rundown, ending the stanza.

Although the Jaguars scored two in the second, pulling within one, USC Aiken scored two of its own in the fourth for a 5-2 lead.

In the fourth, Metzler singled to right to start things off. He moved to second when Matt Bosse laced a single to left. With one down, a failed pick-off attempt led to Metzler being able to score for a 4-2 edge. Charles Padilla then reached on an error as Bosse crossed home for a three-run margin.

Thomas' squad added a run in the sixth as Belcher reached on an error, allowing Sean Miller to go to third and Grayson Smith was plated. Smith had led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Padilla. Miller had reached when he slapped a pitch into center field, putting runners on first and third.  

The Jaguars scratched a run across the board in the bottom half of the frame, but Ben Black and James Lynch came in out of the bullpen and shut the home squad down.

Derek Beasley picked up the win after tossing six innings of work. He gave up three runs on nine hits, but struck out four while only allowing a pair of walks. Black came in to start the seventh and worked two innings. He struck out three while allowing just one hit.

With the three-run edge, Lynch pitched the ninth frame and retired the side in order, picking up the save.

At the dish, Metzler was a perfect four-for-four while driving in two runs. Moore registered three hits while Belcher and Miller had two apiece.

The Pacers attacked the Jaguars, amassing six runs on 15 singles.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow at GRU Augusta for one game starting at 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.