AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team posted a pair of victories over Young Harris Saturday by scores of 9-1 and 2-1.

The Pacers are now 5-11 on the season, including a 2-0 ledger in the PBC.

In game one, USC Aiken jumped on top with a solo home run by Ayers in the first inning and never looked back. 

Lakyn Phillips got out of a jam in the top of the first as she forced a groundout with the bases full. After her team gained the advantage, Phillips was in control. 

Leading 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Ella Stone was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a base knock from Lauren Wexler. A walk to Ayers loaded the bags. Shi Cain drew a base on balls, allowing Stone to take home plate. The Mountain Lions changed pitchers and walked in a run. Moments later, Mallory Shaver uncorked a grand slam over the left field fence, giving the home team a 7-0 lead.

YHC got on the board with a run in the fourth, but Phillips managed to retire the side after the solo blast. The Mountain Lions placed two runners on in the fifth, but a strikeout and a groundout ended the threat.

Poole's team ended the game with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Shaver unleashed another round-tripper, this time of the solo variety. Skylar Morley singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Savannah Ballentine. Two batters later, Morley scored when Wexler reached on a miscue by the shortstop, ending the game at 9-1.

For the game, Shaver led the way with two hits and five RBI. Ayers and Morley each had two base knocks as well. Ayers scored twice in the game.

Phillips went the distance in the circle for the win. She struck out five and gave up one run on five hits. 

In the nightcap, Poole's team trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. With one down, Adams doubled to center field. Ashlyn White came in as a pinch runner. She promptly moved to third base on Shaver's single. Holly Daum's sacrifice fly knotted the score at 1-1.

Neither team could push across a run until the 11^th inning. Shaver led off the inning with a walk and moved to second when Morley drew a base on balls. Daum's sacrifice bunt allowed both runners to move up a base. Then, with two strikes, Taylor Butts laid down a bunt between the first baseman and pitcher, allowing Shaver to race home for the game-winning run.

In all, USC Aiken had seven hits – with Adams having the team's lone extra-base knock. Butts and Daum each drove in a run while Shaver and White scored. Morley drew a pair of walks in the game.

Payton Baker faced 41 batters in the 11-inning complete-game victory. She gave up one earned run on six hits. Baker was sensational, striking out 13 while giving up just one walk in the gem. 

The teams return to action tomorrow for the final game of the series at 1 p.m.