AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a pair of games against Tusculum Saturday.

USC Aiken lost the first game 7-2 before notching a 6-5 win in the nightcap.

The Pacers are now 1-1 on the season as are the Pioneers.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first of game one, Brianna Dow reached on a one-out walk. She was quickly brought home when Mallory Shaver blasted a double to the gap in left center field in her first career at bat.

The Pioneers managed to plate a run in the second, two in the fifth and three in the sixth for a 7-1 lead. In the Pacers' last at bat, Skyler Morley came in as a pinch hitter and promptly walked after working the count full. Jessica Stanley recorded a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Shaver's single to center field plated Morley for the team's final tally. 

For the game, Shaver, Emily Ayers and Jena Dewalt had two hits apiece. Shaver drove in both runs while Dow and Morley were each plated. 

In the circle, Rebekah Cook worked 5.1 innings but took the loss. Lakyn Phillips threw the final 1.2 innings and had a pair of strikeouts. 

In game two, Shaver drove in Stanley with an infield single, knotting the game at 1-1. 

Down 2-1 in the third, Shaver doubled home Ashlyn White, who led off the frame with a single down the left field line. 

Trailing 5-2 in the fourth, Brooke Moore doubled in Morley, who registered a walk. Two batters later, Jessica Stanley singled home Moore to make it 5-4.

After Jena Dewault was hit by a pitch, Brianna Dow allowed her to trot home after launching a two-run homer over the center field wall, giving the Pacers a 6-5 lead.

Phillips went the distance, picking up her first career victory. She tossed a complete game and had eight strikeouts. 

Shaver and Stanley had two hits apiece. Shaver and Dow notched two RBI each. 

The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they travel to Francis Marion for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.