YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost a 9-2 game at Young Harris Thursday.

The Pacers are now 17-21 overall and 9-10 in league play.

Jeff Cyr drew a four-pitch walk after two were out in the first inning, but he was unable to advance as the third out came via a pop fly.

Joel Haney got the start on the mound and was solid early in the contest. After giving up a lead-off single in the first, he struck out the next two batters. He gave up a walk but a fielder's choice ended the threat. It marked the last hit he would give up until the fifth.

Cyr drew a one-out walk in the fifth but a double play ended the threat.

YHC got on the board in the sixth with a pair of runs. The Mountain Lions pushed across three more runs in the seventh for a 5-0 margin.  

Interim head coach Michael Holder's team picked up its first hit in the eighth. Josh Sharp ripped a 2-1 pitch for the base knock. Tai Gilbert followed him up with a double down the left field line, putting runners on second and third. A four-pitch walk to Carson Suess loaded the bags. A Kaden Blankenship base hit through the left side made it 5-1. Scott Huntley's sacrifice fly pulled the squad within three at 5-2.

YHC managed to plate four runs in the ninth for the 9-2 win.

For the game, Blankenship, Gilbert and Sharp all had hits. Gilbert tallied the team's lone extra-base hit – a double. Blankenship and Huntley each drove in one while Gilbert and Sharp each crossed home once.

On the mound, Haney got the start and worked six innings. He struck out seven. Louie Smith worked the seventh inning. Grant Stanford and Hunter Steger worked the eighth inning and combined to have three strikeouts.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow for the second game of the series at 3 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.