WINGATE, N.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost an 8-2 decision at Wingate Wednesday evening.
The Pacers are now 18-16 on the year while the Bulldogs improve to 24-12 on the year.
Conner Durden put USC Aiken on the board with a leadoff round-tripper in the second inning for a 1-0 score.
Zach Rafuse and
Mitch Spence shut down the home-standing Bulldogs for the first two frames, but WU plated two runs in the third.
Down 2-1 in the top of the fourth,
Philip Watcher drew a base on balls before promptly stealing second base. After Durden was intentionally walked,
Trey Polewski battled back from being behind 1-2 to earn a walk. With the bases loaded,
Alex Mills reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Watcher to race home, knotting the score at 2-2.
The Bulldogs regained the lead with a run in the fourth before scoring three in the fifth and two in the seventh for the 8-2 tally.
Durden and Watcher each registered hits in the game – and each came around to score.
Garvin Alston Jr.,
Austin Sandifer,
Cameron Nolet,
William Ard,
Daniel Wiggins,
Hunter Shuff and
Lindsey Robinson Jr., all saw time on the bump in addition to Rafuse and Spence. Nolet posted three strikeouts while Wiggins and Shuff struck out two apiece. The staff combined to strike out 12 batters.
The Pacers return to action Friday when they host Augusta at 7 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
