AIKEN, S.C. –  Mitch Spence struck out 16 batters while throwing a complete game to lead the University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team to a 2-1 win over Augusta.

The Pacers are now 19-16 on the season while the Jaguars fall to 16-20.

Spence struck out a season-high 16 batters, including four looking, en route to the complete-game victory. He gave up just three hits and one walk. Spence threw 118 pitches in the contest.

Head coach Kenny Thomas' team trailed 1-0 after the first frame. Despite threatening multiple times in the early going, USC Aiken was unable to push across any runs until the fifth stanza.

Alex Mills led off the inning with a single to center field. With one down, Jackson Hannon registered a base knock. Sean McQuillan was hit by a pitch, loading the bags. An error allowed Trey Polewski to reach base. Mills and Hannon each scored on the play, giving the home team a 2-1 edge.

The Jaguars threatened in the ninth inning, but Spence continued to thrive. With runners on first and third and two outs, a pop-up seemed destined for left field. However, Polewski raced back and snagged the pop fly with his back turned to home plate, securing the victory.

For the game, Mills and Hannon each had a pair of base hits – and both scored a run. Conner Durden, Luke Leisenring, Chandler Rogers and Philip Watcher all registered base hits in the victory.  

USC Aiken tallied two runs on eight hits and had one miscue. The Jaguars accounted for one run on three hits and had three errors.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they host Augusta at 4 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.