AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team started the season 3-0 after finalizing the weekend sweep Sunday afternoon against the Carson-Newman Eagles with a 5-4 victory. 

With the loss, the Eagles fall to 1-3. 
 
Coach Michael Holder's team was led by Jackson Hannon who went two-for-four with two doubles and an RBI. Adding to the team's victory were Luke Parker and Nick Tripp who each had two hits. Justin Byrd, Kaden Blankenship, James Eckert and Joseph Mozingo all had hits. 
 
Eckert, Byrd, and Blankenship each hit for a double and Eckert was able to send two across home plate. Jose Hernandez and Dalton Graves also drove in one run each. 
 
Blankenship and Mozingo each swiped a bag in the contest. 
 
The Pacers got out to the early lead in the first inning with a double by Byrd who found his way home after a double by Hannon at the very next at bat. 
 
USC Aiken added its second run in the second inning after Blankenship was walked and then advanced to second after a single to left field by Mozingo. The pair each stole their respective bases putting Blankenship at third and Mozingo at second. Blankenship scored on a ground out to second by Hernandez putting the Pacers up 2-0. 
 
The visitors drew within one in the fourth inning after an errant throw put a runner on third and a ground out advanced them across home base. 
 
The Eagles then tied the game in the fifth inning. After loading the bases on three straight hits, a double play enabled the runner on third to score. 
 
In the top of the eighth inning, the opposing team earned a two-run lead after back-to-back doubles, the second of which advanced the runner to third. Back-to-back fly outs saw both runners score giving the Eagles the 4-2 advantage. 
 
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the home crowd saw Parker single to left and advance to second after a walk by Tripp. Josh Sharp grounded out after pinch hitting for Bryce Toci, but was able to advance Parker to third and Tripp to second. Tai Gilbert came in as a pinch runner for Tripp.

Marcus Mastellone was then intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. Graves entered the game to pinch hit for Hernandez. Graves was walked with the bases full, scoring Parker. 

A double by Eckert hit the ground before being scooped up by the right fielder, scoring Mastellone and Tai Gilbert while putting the Pacers up by one, 5-4, on what turned out to be the game-winning hit.

On the mound, Dylan Wilhelm got the win after pitching a scoreless eighth frame. He did not give up a hit and walked one. Byrd not only had a hot bat, but he also earned his first career save after an inning of relief. Jacob Fletcher and Matt Garcia combined for seven innings of work and five strikeouts in the win. 
 
The team's next game is on the road at Newberry College on Friday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m.