HICKORY, N.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team earned a split with region foe Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday afternoon in a non-conference contest.

The Pacers are now 10-2 on the young season while the Bears fall to 16-3.

Head coach Jerry Snyder's team was unable to get things going in the opener, falling by a 4-0 score. USC Aiken mustered a pair of hits in the contest, coming off the bats of Ashley Metts and Sarah Montei. However, the squad responded with a 2-1 victory in the nightcap.

With one down in the top of the first, Montei laced a single up the middle. With two away, Montei swiped third before coming home on a single by Metts for an early 1-0 advantage.

Danielle Payne faced a little bit of trouble in the bottom of the first due to an error, but she managed to force an infield pop fly for the final out of the inning with a runner in scoring position.

L-R tied the game in the bottom of the second, but Payne held the opposition to just one run before getting out of a jam.

USC Aiken threatened to go ahead in the fourth inning after Metts led off the frame with a single. With two down, Magan Thrower walked, but the Pacers were unable to plate the go-ahead run.

Through the first five innings, Payne kept the Bears in check, allowing just the one run and one hit. In the sixth, Snyder's team grabbed the lead.

Dani Reeves led off with a walk and she moved to second on a single by Ericka David with one away. Victoria Burkett ripped a single up the middle, scoring Reeves for what turned out to be the game-winning run.

Payne continued her strong play, allowing a mere single in the bottom half of the sixth.

USC Aiken threatened in the seventh as Payne singled. Karly Kinard came in as a pinch runner and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sydney Murphy. Kinard scampered to third on Montei's single to center, but back-to-back outs ended the inning.

However, Payne was up to the challenge in the Bears' final at bat. She forced a fly ball and a grounder before striking out the last batter of the game.

For the game, USC Aiken tallied two runs on eight hits with one error while the Bears had one run on two hits without a miscue.

Payne moved to 6-0 on the season with the complete-game effort. She struck out nine batters and faced just 26 while walking a pair in the win.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they host Montevallo in a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.