GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a pair of non-conference games at Lander Saturday.

Game scores were 6-5 and 12-3.

The Pacers are now 0-4 on the season.

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team trailed 1-0 in the top of the second in the opener. With one down, Jessica Smith ripped a double to the gap in left center field. Skylar Morley came in as a pinch runner and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Maci Hutto. Holly Daum reached on a miscue, allowing Morley to knot the score at 1-1.

Down 3-1 in the top of the third, Katelyn Powell blasted a solo round-tripper, pulling the visitors within one. 

USC Aiken tied it at 3-3 in the fifth. Powell led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a groundout. Faith Cooke reached, pushing Powell to third. Moments later, Cooke stole second and Powell crossed home plate.

Trialing 5-3 in the top of the seventh, Cooke walked and was able to trot home when Brooke Moore laced a homer over the fence, tying the game. However, Lander would win on a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the frame.

For the game, six different Pacers registered one hit apiece. Moore had two RBI while Powell scored twice in the game. In the circle, Caroline Cockrell took the loss after going the distance. She struck out four batters and gave up five earned runs on eight hits.

In game two, Katie Painter walked, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored for a 1-0 lead on an Emily Ayers base hit.

Trailing 3-1 in the second, Holly Daum's sacrifice bunt plated Moore, who had singled earlier in the stanza. Down 4-2 in the third, Painter singled and moved to second on Powell's base hit. After a sacrifice bunt by Ayers, Cooke's groundout scored Painter to make it 4-3.

The Bearcats managed to plate a run in the fourth and six in the fifth for a 12-3 final tally.

For the game, Painter scored twice to lead the squad.

The Pacers return to action at home on Saturday, March 20 against Flagler. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.