FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken dropped a 9-8 contest to Columbus State in the quarterfinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.

The Pacers are now 32-14 on the season.

Head coach Jerry Snyder's team jumped on top of the Cougars with three runs in the bottom of the second, but Columbus State battled back, pulling within one in the fourth. Then, the Cougars totaled seven runs in the fifth, taking command of the game.

The Pacers battled back with a run in the sixth and had the bases loaded, but a fielder's choice ended the threat.

USC Aiken got things going in the seventh, but came up just short after scoring four runs and pulling within one.

In the second, Madison Labrador beat out an infield single with one down and was safe on a fielding miscue, putting runners on first and second. With two down, Brittney Williamson drew a walk, loading the bases. Kaitlyn White sent an opposite field shot to left, just over the head of the fielder, and cleared the bases with a triple for the 3-0 advantage.

After the Pacers were down 9-3 heading into the sixth, Williamson got things going with a walk. She moved to second on White's single and moved to third on a pop fly and eventually came around to score on a passed ball.

Alyssa Cook drew a walk on four straight pitches to load the bases, but a fielder's choice ended the stanza.  

USC Aiken did not give up, plating four runs in the bottom of the seventh.

With two down, White rattled off her second triple of the day, scoring Brielle Jungblut. Sarah Montei reached on a dropped fly ball by the center fielder and moved to third while making the score 9-6. After a pitching change, Samantha Chubb blasted a two-run opposite field shot, making it 9-8. The Cougars brought in another pitcher, who recorded the final out of the game.

White led the way with three hits, including a pair of triples, and four RBI. Chubb had two RBI, coming on the round-tripper. Cook posted a pair of hits, including a double.

India Kornegay took the loss, giving up nine runs on four hits. She struck out 10 but walked nine.

The Pacers will now wait and see if they will earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Southeast Regionals May 9-11.