Baseball | April 23, 2021

Box Score GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost a 7-3 decision to Lander Friday evening in the first game of the series.

The Pacers are now 19-15 overall and 17-14 in league play.

The Bearcats broke through the scoreless tie with a five-run third inning.

USC Aiken would cut the deficit to three by plating two runs in the fifth stanza. With one down, Tai Gilbert struck out but reached first on a passed ball. Marcus Mastellone walked. After another out, Morgan Hyde earned a walk to load the bags.

Jackson Hannon ripped a single, scoring Gilbert and Mastellone, making it 5-2. However, a fly ball ended the threat with two Pacers left on base.

Lander plated a pair of runs in the seventh for a 7-2 advantage.

Jeff Cyr and Tyler Littlefield each singled in the eighth inning with two away, but a groundout ended the threat.

USC Aiken continued to battle and made it a 7-3 game in the ninth.

David Jacobs led off the ninth with a base knock to right field. Two batters later, Hyde doubled him home. Nick Tripp would get on board with two down, but the visitors were unable to push either home.  

For the game, Hyde led the way with two hits while Hannon drove in two.

Daniel Wiggins worked six innings. He struck out eight but took the loss. After Austin Hohm worked one-third of an inning, Blake Seigler threw 1.2 frames and had a pair of strikeouts.

The Pacers return to action Sunday for a doubleheader at Lander starting at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.