ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team won a pair of games in pool play Saturday at the PBC Tournament, propelling the team to Sunday's PBC Championship. The squad bested Columbus State 4-1 before downing Flagler 4-2.

The Pacers are now 35-18 on the season.

Against third-seeded and No. 10 Columbus State, head coach Kenny Thomas' team fell behind 1-0 before jumping in front with a two-run second inning. With one down, Conner Durden walked before trotting to second thanks in part to a balk. Joey Smithers doubled to right field, putting two on base. Philip Watcher's single plated Durden. Brady O'Neil's groundout allowed Smithers to score for a 2-1 advantage.

In the third, Jose Bonilla singled and scampered to second on a Daulton Weeks' single. Brian Parreira ripped a base knock through the left side, plating Bonilla for a 3-1 lead.

Christian Aragon continued his dominance of the Cougars, keeping the visitors off the base paths.

In the sixth, Thomas' team broadened the working margin with another run. Smithers got things started with a double. With one down, O'Neil singled and Smithers went to third. A sacrifice bunt allowed Smithers to score for what turned out to be the final margin.

For the game, Smithers and Weeks had two hits apiece. Smithers also scored twice.

Aragon worked eight frames, striking out six. He gave up one run on six hits and only walked three. Daniel Wiggins worked a perfect ninth frame, striking out two. Aragon improved to 9-1 with the win while Wiggins picked up his fourth save.

In the second game of the day, Flagler jumped on top with a run in the first. However, USC Aiken knotted the contest in the third when O'Neil scored on a ground ball out.

USC Aiken took a 4-1 lead in the fifth. Bonilla laced a one-out single up the middle. He moved to second when Weeks walked. Two pitches later, Parreira rocketed a round-tripper over the right field wall for the three-run advantage.  

The Pacers would not need any more offense in the game as Zach Rafuse worked 7.2 frames en route to earning the victory. He struck out five and gave up just two runs on 10 hits. Wiggins came into the game for the final four outs. He struck out two and picked up his fifth save of the season.

At the plate, Bonilla and Rogers shared team-best accolades with two hits apiece.

The Pacers advance to the PBC Championship, which will be played Sunday at 1 p.m.