AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost an 8-4 decision to Catawba Monday evening in a non-conference contest.
The Pacers are now 24-19 on the season while the Indians improve to 37-12.
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second,
Joey Smithers walked and swiped second base. After a walk to
Philip Watcher,
Trey Polewski ripped a single to left field to load the bags.
Scott Huntley roped a base knock to right center field, plating Smithers. A
Sean McQuillan base hit to right scored Polewski, making it 2-2.
The Indians regained the lead with three runs in the top of the fourth. However, head coach
Kenny Thomas' team battled back in the fifth. With the bases full,
Chandler Rogers groundout out, but Huntley scored to pull the home squad within two at 5-3.
USC Aiken pulled within one with a run in the seventh stanza. McQuillan singled and stole second base. He raced around third and scored on a base hit from Rogers with one away.
Catawba managed to plate three runs in the eighth for an 8-4 advantage the team would not relinquish.
USC Aiken used seven pitchers in the game.
Lindsey Robinson Jr., started things off.
Hunter Shuff and
William Ard also worked an inning.
Cameron Nolet,
Austin Sandifer,
Henry Cartrett and
Jon Yarbrough all saw time on the bump.
For the game, McQuillan registered a game-high three hits. He also drove in one and scored once.
Luke Leisenring pounded out two hits, including a double. Polewski added two hits, including a double and a run scored. Huntley had two hits, one RBI and crossed home once. Rogers tallied a base hit and two RBI while
Joey Smithers scored once in the loss.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they host Paine at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.