AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost a 10-8 10-inning decision to Wingate Wednesday evening.
The Pacers are now 24-14 on the season while the Bulldogs fall to 31-11.
In the bottom of the first, head coach
Kenny Thomas' team jumped out to a 3-0 lead when
Brian Parreira crushed a three-run shot over the wall. However, the visitors knotted the contest at 3-3 in the top of the second.
In the third frame,
Nile Goings got things going with a double down the left field line. After a
Conner Durden single,
Brady O'Neil singled home Goings for a 4-3 advantage. With the bases loaded,
Joey Smithers reached on an error that allowed Durden and O'Neil to score.
Jose Bonilla's grounder to second pushed
Philip Watcher across home for a 7-3 lead.
Daulton Weeks continued the strong inning, ripping a single up the middle that plated Smithers for the five-run spread.
The Bulldogs plated three runs in the fourth, making it 8-6. After three scoreless frames from both sides, Wingate belted a round-tripper for an 8-7 score in the eighth. An error allowed the visitors to knot the score at 8-8 with two outs in the ninth.
Goings nearly ended the game in the bottom of the ninth, but his line drive shot was caught at the wall, sending the game into extra innings.
In the 10
th, the Bulldogs plated two runs for a 10-8 lead. USC Aiken was unable to get anyone on in the bottom of the inning, ending the contest.
Thomas' team was led by Parreira's three RBI. O'Neil and Weeks each had one RBI. Bonilla and Weeks led the way with three hits apiece while Watcher chipped in with two base knocks. Eight different USC Aiken student-athletes crossed home plate.
The Pacers return to action Friday when they play at Young Harris at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.