AIKEN, S.C. – In a match-up between two first-team all-conference hurlers, Armstrong was able to pull off an 11-7 victory over USC Aiken in the quarterfinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Saturday evening.

The Pirates jumped on top with two quick runs in the first frame, but USC Aiken battled back with a run of its own in the bottom of the third stanza. After Ben Donath drew a walk, he scampered to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Charles Padilla's single to center, making it a 2-1 contest.

Armstrong plated eight runs over the next three frames while the Pacers tacked on six more, but a great pitching performance by the Pirates' hurler allowed the designated visitors to come away with the win.

Trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Ryan Metzler launched a two-run homer, making it a 6-3 contest. Armstrong answered with three in the fifth for a 9-3 edge only to see head coach Kenny Thomas' team battle back with four runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning.

With two down, Sean Miller doubled to left, allowing Padilla to trot to third. Tyler Moore's single scored two and Moore scored when Ty Barkell doubled to the gap in left center. The Pacers completed the scoring in the stanza when Metzler ripped a single to left, which plated Barkell.

The Pirates added a run in the sixth and another in the eighth and did not allow the Pacers to score another run in the game – and USC Aiken only had a couple of base runners over the final few innings.

For the game, Padilla, Metzler, Miller and Moore all registered two hits apiece. Metzler paced the team with a game-high three RBI while Moore added two. Barkell and Padilla had one RBI each.

Derek Beasley, a first-team all-conference selection Friday evening, took the loss after throwing 4.1 innings. He gave up nine runs, but only four were earned. He also struck out six. Ben Black completed the game on the rubber for USC Aiken. He worked 4.2 frames and gave up two runs, but only one was earned. He also struck out four.

The Pacers are now 36-15 overall and will wait until the NCAA Selection Show to see if they will advance to the NCAA Tournament.