AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a pair of close games to Columbus State Saturday by scores of 4-2 (8 innings) and 3-1.

The Pacers are now 17-13-1 on the season and 5-7 in league play.

After falling behind 2-0 through four innings of the opener, head coach Jerry Snyder's team cut into the deficit in the fifth. Hanna Hyder came in as a pinch hitter and was hit by a pitch. Leah Boghosian was inserted into the line-up for Hyder. Sydney Kate Murphy laid down a sacrifice bunt, putting Boghosian on second. Chandler Terrapin's single plated Boghosian, making the score 2-1.

Hayley Elkins led off the sixth with a solo homer, knotting the contest at 2-2. Kristan Lowery singled and Lyndie Dorgan came in as a pinch runner. She moved to second on Julianne Leduc's sacrifice bunt. Brielle Jungblut's single pushed Dorgan to third.

Jungblut quickly swiped second to put two in scoring position. Boghosian reached on a fielder's choice, but Dorgan was thrown out trying to go home. A groundout ended the threat.

USC Aiken placed two runners on in the seventh, but the team was unable to push the game-winning run across. The Cougars managed to score two in the eighth for the victory.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second of game two, Magan Jean Thrower singled. Boghosian came in as a pinch runner and moved to third on Elkins' double to right center field. Lowery's single scored Boghosian, making it 1-1.

The Pacers loaded the bags in the third with two down, but a groundout ended the rally.

The Cougars scored two in the fourth for what turned out to be enough to clinch the game.

The Pacers return to action Sunday when they host Georgia Southwestern at 2 p.m. Live stats, video and audio will be available at PacerSports.com.