COLUMBUS, Ga. – University of South Carolina Aiken shortstop Tyler Ammerman's three-run single in the 10th inning guided the designated visitors past top-seeded Columbus State Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Southeast Regional.
The No. 19 Pacers improve to 39-16 on the season while the No. 5 Cougars are now 40-13.
With the score tied in the top of the 10th inning and one down, Brian Parreira ripped an 0-1 pitch to left center field for a single. Joey Smithers drew a two-out walk before Columbus State made a pitching change. After the new hurler entered the game, Luke Westerberg garnered a base on balls to load the bags. On a 1-1 pitch, Ammerman belted an offering to the gap in left center field. All three base runners came across home plate for an 8-5 advantage.
Cole Lee, who had come on earlier in the game, registered a one-pitch out. After freezing a Cougar for a called third strike, the home squad managed to get a runner on base. However, Lee – in fine fashion – ended the game with a swinging strikeout.
USC Aiken opened the game with a pair of runs in the first inning. Mitchell Price laced a single before heading to second on a Chaz Pal walk. Zach Moon reached on a fielding error, allowing Price to hustle home for a 1-0 advantage. Parreira lifted a sacrifice fly into foul territory as Pal trotted home for the two-run margin.
Head coach Kenny Thomas' team pushed the lead to 3-0 with a run in the fourth. With two down, Ammerman launched an 0-2 pitch high over the left field fence for a solo shot.
The Cougars bounced back, pulling with one, with a pair of runs in the bottom of the stanza.
The Pacers regained their two-run lead in the sixth. Max Schoen earned lead-off walk and moved to second on a fly ball down the right field line. With two down, Ammerman came through once again, singling through the left side of the infield to make it 4-2.
USC Aiken pushed its lead to three when Price launched the first pitch of the seventh inning over the wall in left field.
It looked as if Thomas' team would finish off the top seeded Cougars, but the home team managed to pull even with three runs in the eighth, including one that was unearned. After a scoreless ninth, USC Aiken finished the contest in stellar fashion.
For the game, the Pacers tallied eight runs on eight hits with one error while Columbus State totaled five runs on seven hits with two miscues.
Lee picked up the victory in relief. He struck out three batters while surrendering just two hits. Erik Davis started the game and went seven innings. He struck out seven while walking two. Davis gave up two earned runs on five hits.
Ammerman and Price each had three hits. Ammemran registered a career-high five RBI while also scoring a run. Price crossed home twice.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow against Lander at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
Video of the final pitch and celebration
(Video courtesy of Chelsey Watts)
NCAA Southeast Regional Tournament Central Page
