AIKEN, S.C. – Kody Belcher's two school-record tying performances guided the University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team to a 24-6 victory over UNC Pembroke Friday evening in the first game of the Peach Belt Conference series.

The Pacers are now 23-11 on the season and 12-10 against conference competition.

Belcher tied the school record for home runs in a game with three while also tying the school mark with eight RBI.

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, head coach Kenny Thomas' team knotted the contest with a run in the bottom of the stanza when Zach Moon lifted a single to left field, plating Tyler Moore.

In the second frame, USC Aiken took the lead when Rob Youngblood's sacrifice fly allowed Sean Miller to trot home. Belcher's two-run round-tripper pushed the margin to 4-1.

The Braves trimmed the margin to 4-2 in the top of the fourth inning, but the Pacers' bats came alive in the bottom half of the stanza. Miller opened the scoring in the frame with a solo shot. Belcher ripped a three-run bomb that allowed Douglas Ard and Matt Bosse to cross home.

TJ Costen's single scored Chaz Pal and Miller registered his second hit of the inning, singling home Costen for an 11-2 margin.

UNC Pembroke added a run in the top of the fifth, but USC Aiken went back to work, scoring five more runs in the bottom of the inning.

Moore ripped a single into the gap, scoring Youngblood while pushing Belcher to third. Moon walked with the bases loaded, allowing Belcher to cross home. Costen blasted a pitch into center field, scoring Moore and Pal while Bosse reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Moon to race home for the 16-3 advantage.

The Braves scored a run in the seventh and threatened for more runs, but USC Aiken managed to get out of the inning with relative ease.

Thomas' team was not done adding runs to the scoreboard. In the bottom of the seventh, Bosse's grounder allowed Costen to score. Ard beat out a shot toward the gap on the left side of the infield as Miller raced home for an 18-4 lead.

Belcher added to the lead with his third homer of the night, scoring Ard and Youngblood for the 21-4 margin.

In the bottom of the eighth, Bosse belted a three-run round-tripper over the right field fence for a 24-6 lead.

Forrest Koumas was solid on the mound. He worked five innings and gave up just three runs on seven hits, but only one run was earned. Koumas struck out four batters while picking up the win.  

At the plate, Belcher posted four hits, accounting for 14 total bases. Miller also totaled four hits.  Costen added three hits while Bosse and Moore each had two base knocks. Pal, Moon, Bosse and Ard each had one hit apiece.  

The Pacers return to action tomorrow afternoon in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Live stats, video and audio are available at PacerSports.com.