AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team split a pair of games against Flagler Saturday, winning 3-2 before falling in the finale by a 4-3 score.
The Pacers are now 8-10 on the season.
Trailing 1-0 in the fifth inning of game one,
Sean McQuillan walked and swiped second. He knotted the game at 1-1 on
Jackson Hannon's single.
USC Aiken trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth before
Leo Horacio came in as a pinch hitter and singled in
Jeff Cyr, who had drawn a lead-off walk. After going to extra innings, USC Aiken put the game away when Cyr singled in Hannon with two down for the game-winning run.
For the game, Hannon led the way with a pair of hits. Lindsey Robinson tossed six strong innings but did not factor in the decision.
Austin Sandifer worked the final four frames and picked up the win after striking out one. He did not give up a run and only allowed three hits.
USC Aiken took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third in game two. McQuillan's groundout allowed
James Eckert to cross home plate, tying the game. After a
Morgan Hyde single and stolen base, Hannon's groundout allowed him to scamper home for the one-run edge.
The Saints scored two runs in the top of the fifth as they took a 3-2 lead. Flagler tacked on a run in the seventh to make it 4-2, but USC Aiken would cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the inning. Cyr was hit by a pitch and moved to third on Horacio's single to right field. Cyr scored on Eckert's fielder's choice. However, the Pacers were unable to tie the game.
For the game, Hyde led the team with a pair of hits.
Alex Stobert took the loss while
Austin Hohm,
Blake Seigler and Hyde all saw time on the mound.
The Pacers return to action Friday when they play at Francis Marion. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.