AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team earned a sweep over Limestone Tuesday afternoon by scores of 1-0 and 12-2.

The Pacers are now 9-7 on the season while the Saints fall to 8-6.

In the first game, head coach Jerry Snyder's team left a runner on base in the first and third frames, but it was still scoreless. 

USC Aiken got onto the scoreboard in the fourth – and it was all that Hannah Price would need. Price doubled to left center field and hustled to third on a sacrifice bunt from Katie Painter. A deep fly ball from Sydney Burk tailed foul, but it was caught by the right fielder. Price scampered home for the game-winning run.

The Saints loaded the bags in the fifth, but a fielder's choice ended the threat. In the seventh, Courtney Strauss made a spectacular catch for the first out. With two down and a runner on first base, LC blasted a single to right center field. Leah Boghosian got to it and scooped it up after one bounce. She fired the ball to Sarah Sams at second base who promptly turned and secured the win by throwing out the runner going to third base.

Price went the distance in the circle, striking out two while giving up just six singles. She did not walk a batter.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Strauss ripped a 2-2 pitch to right center field for a double. With two on and two away, Sydney Burk rocketed a single down the right field line, knotting the contest.

Sams led off the second with a double to left center field. Janee McCarthy singled and Boghosian loaded the bags with an infield single. Strauss blooped a hit to right field that scored Sams for a 2-1 advantage.  

The score remained the same until a 10-run explosion for USC Aiken in the fourth stanza. With one down, Boghosian singled and raced home on a double by Strauss. Katie Painter singled home Powell before Burk walked to load the bases. A walk to Cockrell allowed Price to trot home for a 5-1 edge.

Sams ripped a double to center field, plating Painter and Burk. McCarthy belted a pitch up the middle that scored Cockrell. Boghosian laid down a bunt for a single that brought Sams home. Strauss knocked a base hit past the pitcher to load the bases. Katelyn Powell singled in McCarthy before Price rocketed a pitch high off the wall for a two-run double and a 12-1 advantage.

The Saints scored one in the fifth for the final tally.

For the game, Strauss went four-for-four with two RBI and two runs scored. Boghosian went three-for-three while McCarthy, Powell and Sams all had two hits apiece. Price and Sams also drove in two apiece.

In the circle, Cockrell worked all five frames, striking out four and giving up two runs on five hits.

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at Mount Olive for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.