AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a pair of games against Flagler, falling 4-3 in the first one before winning 7-1 in the nightcap.

The Pacers are now 18-6 on the year and 9-3 against league foes.

In the opener, USC Aiken jumped on top 2-0 in the first inning. With one down, Sarah Montei walked and moved to third on Samantha Chubb's single to right. Ashley Metts laid down a perfect bunt, allowing Montei to cross home for a 1-0 advantage. Victoria Burkett followed her up with another bunt, plating Chubb.

In the fifth stanza, Chubb led off the inning with a solo blast over the left center field fence, making it 3-0.

However, the Saints pulled within one with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth. Flagler put together a rally in the seventh, scoring two runs on a bases-loaded single with two outs for a 4-3 margin.

USC Aiken had a chance in the bottom of the inning. Montei walked and moved to second on Chubb's sacrifice bunt. However, the Pacers were unable to plate the tying run.

For the game, Chubb and Metts each had two hits and one RBI apiece. Burkett had the team's other RBI. Chubb scored twice while Montei crossed home once.

In the circle, Taylor Morgan took the loss. She struck out 10 batters and allowed seven hits.

Head coach Jerry Snyder's team jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first in the second game. With one out, Montei walked. She promptly stole second with two down. Montei scampered to third when Metts beat out an infield single. Burkett beat out an infield single, allowing Montei to cross home for the advantage.

In the fourth, Burkett led off the inning with a single to left. Andrea Daring walked, putting runners on first and second. Each moved up 60 feet on a double steal prior to Magan Thrower reaching on a fielder's choice, scoring Burkett.

Dani Reeves laid down a sacrifice bunt, pushing the runners to second and third. Makenzie Barbor blasted a deep shot into right field that scored Daring for a 3-0 score.

After the Saints struck back with a run in the fifth, USC Aiken answered with four runs to break open the game.

Metts doubled down the left field line and Burkett singled to the shortstop, putting runners on first and second. Daring lifted a foul ball to deep left field that allowed Metts to get to third base.

Thrower singled home Metts for a 4-1 edge. Two batters later, Barbor fouled off several pitches before launching a three-run homer over the left center field fence, making the final score 7-1.

For the game, Burkett led the team with three hits. Metts added two hits while Barbor registered four RBI in the contest. Thrower had two RBI while Burkett notched one. Burkett scored twice while Montei, Metts, Daring, Thrower and Barbor each crossed home once.

In the circle, Danielle Payne went the distance to get the win. She struck out two batters and allowed just one run on five hits. Payne did not walk a batter.

The Pacers return to action Friday when they play at Young Harris. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.