AIKEN, S.C. – The No. 22 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team posted a 5-0 victory over Flagler Friday evening in the series opener.

The Pacers are now 23-9 on the year and 8-5 in league play. The Saints fall to 21-13 overall and 9-4 against conference foes.

Head coach Kenny Thomas' team threatened with base runners in the early going, but the squad was unable to push across a run.

In the fourth, USC Aiken managed to plate a pair of runs for a 2-0 edge.

With one down, Jonathan Banks earned a walk. He hustled to second when Zach Moon belted a single to center field. Brian Parreira ripped a single to right field, scoring Banks for a 1-0 margin.

The Pacers made it 2-0 as Daulton Weeks rocketed a single to center field, allowing Moon to race home.

USC Aiken added to its lead in the sixth. Moon launched a one-out double to right center field. Parreira made it 3-0 with a double to the gap in right center field. He quickly moved to third on a wild pitch before trotting home when Daulton Weeks sent a single to center field.

With one down in the seventh, Nile Goings lifted a towering 1-0 pitch high down the left field line. It stayed fair and cleared the wall by 30 feet for a 5-0 advantage.

Joseph Benitez pitched an outstanding game en route to earning the win. He tossed a complete game, striking out eight. He did not walk a batter in the contest while giving up just six hits. He improves to 6-2 on the season.

For the game, Weeks posted a team-best three hits. He drove in a pair of runs. Jose Bonilla, Goings, Moon and Parreira had two hits apiece. Parreira knocked in a pair of runs while Moon crossed home twice. Tyler Ammerman, Banks and Luke Westerberg all recorded one hit apiece.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they host the Saints at 3 p.m. Live stats, video and audio will be available at PacerSports.com.