DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost a hard fought 4-3 contest at North Georgia Friday evening.

The Pacers are now 19-8 on the season, including a 9-7 mark against conference foes. The Nighthawks are 16-7 on the year, including a 10-3 mark against league competition.

Head coach Kenny Thomas' team took a quick 2-0 advantage in its first at bat. Sean Miller led off the game with a blast over the left center field fence on a 1-2 pitch, giving the visitors a 1-0 edge. Tyler Moore followed him with a single up the middle.

With one down, Moore scampered to second on a failed pickoff attempt. He moved up 90 more feet when he swiped third. Chaz Pal took a 1-2 pitch and laced a single, plating Moore for a 2-0 margin.

USC Aiken maintained the lead through the first five innings as Forrest Koumas was dominant. In the bottom half of the sixth, North Georgia plated three runs thanks in part to an error and interference, which allowed the first two batters of the inning to get on base.

Moore singled to lead off the eighth stanza, but was promptly thrown out on a steal attempt. After TJ Costen singled to third base, the home team changed pitchers. A full-count walk to Zach Moon put runners on first and second.

Chaz Pal reached on a fielder's choice, which erased Moon. A walk to Kody Belcher loaded the bags for Matt Bosse, who watched ball four. The walk tied the contest while putting Bosse on first base. However, USC Aiken was unable to tack on another run in the frame.

The home team scored a run in the bottom of the ninth, clinching the game.

For the contest, Moore led the way with three of the team's seven hits. Miller, Costen, Pal and Cory Bryant all had singles for USC Aiken.

Cole Lee took the loss, giving up one run in 2.2 innings of work. Koumas started the game and went 5.2 innings, striking out six and giving up just three runs on five hits. None of the runs were earned.   

The Pacers return to action Saturday in a doubleheader at North Georgia starting at 2 p.m.