AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team rolled to an 8-1 win over Shepherd in the second game of the series.

The Pacers are now 4-1 on the season.

Still without a score in the second inning, Conner Durden ripped a double to right field, plating Brian Parreira, who had been hit by a pitch earlier in the frame. Philip Watcher recorded a sacrifice fly, scoring Durden. Blake Bottomley launched a homer for a 3-0 edge.

Chandler Rogers was hit by a pitch and hustled to second on a hit from Jose Bonilla. Joey Smithers plated Rogers with a single. USC Aiken pushed the margin to 5-0 when Bonilla scored on an unearned run.

Bottomley stretched the advantage to 6-0 on a single down the left field line in the sixth. The hit scored Nile Goings, who opened the stanza with a bloop hit to right field.  Later in the frame, Smithers roped a single to the gap in left center, scoring Bottomley for the 7-0 lead.

Durden added to the tally with an opposite field blast in the seventh, making it 8-0.

For the game, Durden led the way with three hits – all of which went for extra bases. Bonilla, Bottomley and Smithers notched two hits apiece. Bottomley, Durden and Smithers each had two RBI.

Zach Rafuse worked five scoreless innings for the win. He struck out five while giving up just two hits and allowing one walk. Garvin Alston Jr. and Freddie Beamon III also got time on the bump.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow at 2 p.m.