GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team lost a 3-0 decision at Lander Friday evening in the series opener.

The Pacers are now 19-26 on the season, including 11-14 in league play.

Sean McQuillan led the game off with a bunt single but he was erased on the base paths. Jackson Hannon ripped a pitch up the middle. However, a double play ended the first stanza.

Down 1-0 in the third, Dalton Graves belted a hit through the left side of the infield. USC Aiken hit into a double play and the ensuing groundout sent the game to the bottom of the inning.

Lander plated two more runs in the fourth for a 3-0 edge.

Head coach Michael Holder's team tried to get things going in the fifth. Jeff Cyr led off the stanza with a walk and trotted to second when Josh Sharp was hit by a pitch. The Pacers hit into their third double play of the game. A line out ended what was a promising start to an inning.

Kaden Blankenship sent a pitch into left field in the sixth, but USC Aiken was unable to capitalize on the lead-off base knock.

Jose Hernandez came in as a pinch hitter in the eighth and drew a one-out walk. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.

USC Aiken placed one on base in the ninth but McQuillan was left stranded.

For the game, Blankenship, Graves, Hannon and McQuillan all posted hits. Cyr and Hernandez each reached on walks while McQuillan and Sharp were both hit by pitches.

AJ Deibel worked 3.1 innings and had two strikeouts but was saddled with the loss. Louie Smith tossed the final 4.2 innings and registered nine strikeouts while giving up just two hits.  

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