AIKEN, S.C. – The No. 22 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team split a doubleheader with Francis Marion, falling by a 3-1 score in the opener before winning 7-5 in the nightcap.

The Pacers are now 30-11 overall and 14-7 in league action.

In the opening game, head coach Kenny Thomas' team jumped on top with a run in the bottom of the first. Jose Bonilla drew a walk and moved to third on Jonathan Banks' single. A groundout by Mitchell Price allowed Bonilla to hustle home for a 1-0 advantage.

USC Aiken did not have a runner in scoring position again until the sixth frame. With one down, Price singled to center field and quickly stole second base. An out later, he swiped third, but a groundout ended the threat.

The Patriots scored three runs in the eighth for a 3-1 lead. Bonilla walked and Price was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the stanza, but back-to-back outs ended the inning.

In the second game, Banks smashed a one-out homer in the bottom of the first for a 1-0 advantage. The visitors took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third, but Thomas' squad answered with five runs in the bottom of the frame.

Skylar Mercado drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on Tyler Ammerman's deep fly ball. Bonilla singled him home, making it 3-2. Three batters later, Nile Goings ripped a single to right field, plating Luke Westerberg, who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning.

Banks rocketed a double down the left field line, scoring Price and Goings for a 5-3 lead. Brian Parreira belted a double to right field, scoring Banks for the three-run margin.

After the visitors pulled within one at 6-5, Parreira blasted a double to right field, scoring Westerberg for a two-run advantage.

For the game, Banks led the home squad with three RBI. Parreira drove in two. Banks and Westerberg each scored twice.

Nick Yobbi came in during the fifth inning and picked up the victory.  

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they host Newberry at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.