GREENVILLE, S.C. – The No. 23 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team jumped out to an 11-0 lead en route to an 11-8 victory against North Greenville Wednesday evening in a non-conference contest.
The Pacers improve to 20-7 on the season.
Head coach
Kenny Thomas' team jumped out to a 5-0 run after the top of the first.
Jose Bonilla opened the game with a double to the gap in left center field. With one down,
Mitchell Price blasted a two-run shot over the wall.
Conner Durden drew a two-out walk and moved to third when
Nile Goings belted a single through the left side of the infield.
Daulton Weeks rocketed a double to right, making it a 4-0 contest. Weeks came around to score when
Joey Smithers smacked a single up the middle, forcing a change on the mound for the Crusaders.
In the second,
Jonathan Banks ripped a double down the left field line and moved to third when Price laid down a bunt. After
Zach Moon was hit by a pitch, Goings lifted a sacrifice fly to left field for a 6-0 edge.
USC Aiken tacked on another run in the third.
Tyler Ammerman earned a base on balls. With two down, Banks pushed a pitch up the middle, allowing Ammerman to score for a 7-0 margin.
The Pacers increased their lead to 11-0 with a four-run fifth stanza. Ammerman walked and trotted to second on Smithers' walk. Bonilla singled to load the bags. Banks made a statement with a grand slam high over the left field wall for the 11-run cushion.
The home team tallied five runs in the fifth and three in the sixth, closing the margin to three at 11-8.
Christian Aragon picked up the victory after tossing four strong innings. He struck out five while givig up just one hit and a walk. Aragon faced two batters over the minimum.
Joseph Benitez worked 1.1 frames in relief. He faced just four batters and sent one back to the dugout via a strikeout.
Nick Yobbi registered a clean sheet in the eighth and ninth frames, picking up his first save of the season. Yobbi struck out two batters.
At the plate, Banks led everyone with three hits and five RBI. He was a triple away from the cycle. Price and Weeks drove in two apiece. Bonilla, Goings and Smithers garnered two hits apiece. Ammerman, Banks and Bonilla were plated twice each.
The Pacers return to action Friday when they play at Lander. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. Live stats will be available at PacerSports.com.
