AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team used a five-run eighth inning to break open a close game in a 10-3 win over Emmanuel.

The Pacers are now 10-4 on the season while the Lions fall to 10-7.

Head coach Kenny Thomas' team got on the board with a run in the bottom of the first. With one down, Luke Leisenring belted a double to right field. After moving to third, he scored on a base knock from Alex Mills.

The Lions took a 2-1 lead in the third, but USC Aiken quickly regained the advantage. Conner Durden was hit by a pitch. He swiped second and scored on a Blake Jenkins RBI double in the gap. Three batters later, Philip Watcher drew a bases loaded walk, allowing Jenkins to trot home for the 3-2 margin.

USC Aiken extended the advantage in the fifth with two more runs. Chandler Rogers ripped a double down the left field line, scoring Jenkins. A sacrifice fly from Watcher allowed Trey Polewski to race home for the 5-2 score.

Emmanuel added a run in the sixth to pull within two at 5-3. However, USC Aiken increased its margin in the ninth.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Leisenring drew a walk to make it 6-3. After a pitching change, Durden didn't swing on four straight pitches and promptly took first base while sending in Jackson Hannon. A walk to Mills pushed in Sean McQuillan. Rogers was hit by a pitch, allowing Leisenring to cross home. A balk call sent everyone up 90 feet as Durden walked home for a 10-3 score.

For the game, Jenkins led the way with two hits, including a double. Mills, Rogers and Watcher had two RBI apiece while Durden, Jenkins and Leisenring scored two runs apiece.

Austin Sandifer picked up the win after coming in to throw 1.1 frames of relief. He gave up just one hit. Connor Christensen struck out three in 3.2 innings of work. William Ard, Hunter Shuff, Jon Yarbrough and Henry Cartrett all worked one frame apiece.

The Pacers return to action Friday when they play at Georgia College at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.