SAVANNAH, Ga. – The No. 14 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost a 7-6 decision to Armstrong State in the series opener and is currently tied at 10-10 in the bottom of the eighth in the second game as it was halted due to darkness.

The Pacers are currently 6-2 on the season. The second game of the series will be completed at 12 p.m., before the third game will get underway.

In the opener, head coach Kenny Thomas' team was led by Tyler Moore's three RBI on a pair of hits. Kody Belcher wrapped out two hits and drove in one. Sean Miller and Ty Barkell each had one RBI.

On the mound, Forrest Koumas gave up six runs, but only four were earned, in five innings of work. He fanned nine batters. Cole Lee worked three innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out three.

After a scoreless first three innings, USC Aiken got on the board in the fourth when Barkell got things going with a solo homer over the left center field wall. The Pirates answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame. However, the Pacers evened the score at 2-2 in the top of the fifth. 

With one down, Cory Bryant drew a walk. Belcher moved him to second on a sacrifice bunt. Miller ripped a single to right center, scoring Byrant while knotting the game.

Armstrong State pounded out five runs in the bottom of the sixth. The big hit was a grand slam with nobody out. Despite trailing 7-2, USC Aiken continued to fight.

In the top of the ninth, Robert Ard laced a one-out single up the middle. He moved to second when Bryant singled. Bryant moved to second on the throw. Belcher brought one home on an RBI single for a 7-3 score. With two down, Moore rocketed a three-run homer over the left field fence while pulling the Pacers within one. However, USC Aiken was unable to get the tying run.

In the second game, the Pacers found themselves trailing 7-0 after four innings before rattling off five runs in the sixth and five in the seventh for their 10 runs. The Pirates tied the contest with three in the bottom of the seventh. 

Moore led off the sixth by drawing a base on balls. He quickly moved to second on a wild pitch. TJ Costen singled prior to advancing to second on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch brought Costen to third while Moore scored on the play. Chaz Pal singled home Costen before Zach Moon doubled home Pal. Randy Luckett smashed a two-run homer to left field, making it a 7-5 contest. 

Moore singled and stole second to lead off the seventh inning for USC Aiken. Barkell walked and Costen singled and another wild pitch moved both runners up 90 feet. 

With one down, Chaz Pal doubled home Moore and Barkell. Bryant came through with a two-out, two-RBI single that plated Pal and Costen. Bryant quickly stole second and third before Belcher plated him with a single up the middle.

The second game will be completed at 12 p.m., tomorrow. After the conclusion of the game, the final contest of the series will be played.