AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a pair of games to Catawba Sunday afternoon by scores of 7-1 and 3-0.

The Pacers are now 0-4 on the season while the Indians improve to 2-2.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth of game one, Shi Cain knotted the contest after crushing an offering high over the center field wall. 

The visitors tacked on two runs in the fifth, three in the sixth and another run in the seventh for a 7-1 lead. 

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team continued to battle in its last at bat. With one down, Lauren Wexler came in as a pinch hitter and ripped a 1-0 pitch down the left field line. Kaydence Adams trotted in as a pinch hitter and she promptly drew a four-pitch base on balls, putting runners on first and second. After a pop-up, Holly Daum worked the count to 3-1 before taking a base via a walk. However, a groundout with the bases loaded ended the game.

For the game, Cain, Jessica Stanley and Wexler all registered hits. Stanley's base knock was a double.

In the circle, Lakyn Phillips recorded three strikeouts in five innings of work while Marlena Perez tossed the final two frames.   

In game two, the Pacers left runners on base in each of the first five innings. In the first, Wexler earned a four-pitch walk but was stranded after a pop fly was caught. Emily Ayers led off the second with a base hit to center field. Three hard hit balls were all caught, ending the stanza.

Taylor Butts was hit by a pitch to lead off the third. She advanced to third on a pair of groundouts, but an infield pop-up ended the threat. Shi Cain led off the fourth with a walk and moved to second when Adams drew a base on balls. However, a hard-hit double play resulted in the third out of the inning. Stanley earned a two-out walk in the fifth, but a groundout ended the frame.

Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the seventh, USC Aiken got things started when Adams singled. She was erased on a fielder's choice. After a pop fly, Ashlyn White belted a pitch down the left field line that the fielder managed to snag for the final out.

For the game, Adams and Ayers each had hits. Adams, Cain, Stanley and Wexler all earned walks and Butts was hit by a pitch. 

In the circle, Payton Baker went the distance. She gave up three runs on 10 hits and had a strikeout. 

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they play at North Greenville for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.