AIKEN, S.C. – The No. 14 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team put together a five-run sixth inning en route to an 8-2 victory over visiting Lincoln Memorial Sunday afternoon.
The Pacers are now 3-0 on the young season.
Head coach Kenny Thomas' team managed to get an outstanding first start from hurler Trevor Hutto, who worked six innings and gave up just two runs on six hits while striking out a pair.
The squad was tied at 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning and the Pacers belted out five runs for a 7-2 lead. The pitching staff of Nick Yobbi, Joe Marlow and Sam Daniel did not give up a hit the rest of the way, keeping Hutto in line for the victory.
For the game, TJ Costen led everyone with a three-hit performance. He had a double and drove in two. Tyler Moore had a pair of hits, including the team's first round-tripper of the season, while driving in two runs. Cory Bryant's double led to two Pacers crossing home.
Ty Barkell and Chaz Pal each drove in one during the win. Kody Belcher, Sean Miller, Barkell, Matt Bosse, Pal and Moon all crossed home one time for USC Aiken.
After a quick first inning by Hutto, Thomas' team got on the board in the bottom half of the frame. With one down, Miller singled but was thrown out on a fielder's choice. Barkell's hard hit ball to shortstop forced an error, allowing Moore and Barkell to be safe. Costen singled home Moore for the game's first run.
USC Aiken added a run in the third when Moore singled home Belcher. Belcher had reached base after leading off the frame with a hit by pitch. He swiped second and moved to third on Miller's groundout.
The Railsplitters tacked on a run in the fourth and fifth innings, tying the contest at 2-2.
Hutto shut down LMU in the sixth before the Pacers' bats came alive.
Miller led off the frame with a single. With one down, Barkell tripled before scoring on Costen's single. Costen stole second and Bosse was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second.
After Costen was picked off, Pal doubled home Bosse for the third run of the frame. Zach Moon reached on an error. Bryant doubled home Moon and Pal for the 7-2 advantage. Moore tacked on a run in the seventh by sending a shot deep over the center field fence for an 8-2 lead.
The Pacers return to action Friday when they host Trevecca Nazarene at 4 p.m. Live stats, video and audio will be available at PacerSports.com.
