BEAUFORT, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a doubleheader at USC Beaufort Saturday, falling 6-5 before winning 11-1.

The Pacers are now 9-17 on the season and 3-5 in PBC play.

In game one, head coach Jaclin Poole's team got on the board in the second inning when Mallory Shaver unloaded on an offering, sending it over the left center field wall for a 1-0 advantage.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the fourth, Grace Ann Thompkins beat out a single to second base and moved to second when Holly Daum was hit by a pitch. Taylor Butts laid down a sacrifice bunt and was safe on an error, loading the bags. Ella Stone drew a walk, plating Thompkins to tie the score at 2-2.

With two down and the bases still loaded, Emily Ayers drew a walk, scoring Butts for a 3-2 edge. However, USCB scored a run in the bottom of the frame and another in the fifth for a 4-3 advantage.

In the top of the seventh, Ayers belted a pitch over the right field wall, knotting the score at 4-4. The Sand Sharks tried to get the next batter out but Shi Cain made them pay with a solo blast for a 5-4 lead.    

USCB managed to plate two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the 6-5 win. For the game, Ayers led the way with three hits and two RBI. Cain produced a pair of hits as well. Ayers, Cain and Shaver all hit round-trippers.

Lakyn Phillips got the start and worked 4.0 innings. She struck out seven. Payton Baker worked the final 2.1 innings and had four strikeouts. She took the loss.

In game two, USC Aiken took a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Ella Stone singled and moved to second on a walk to Jessica Stanley. A walk to Lauren Wexler loaded the bags. Ayers doubled to the gap in right center, clearing the bases.  

Shaver led off the next inning and blasted a solo shot over the left field fence for a 4-0 edge. An inning later, Ayers singled home Wexler, who had singled earlier before taking second on a wild pitch.

Leading 5-1 in the seventh inning, Poole's team got a few insurance runs. Skylar Morley started the frame with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Daum. Jakayla McKelvey came in as a pinch hitter and delivered a base knock to left field, pushing Morley to third base. Two batters later, Jessica Stanley pounded a double to the gap in left center, driving in Morley and McKelvey. Wexler singled home Stanley for an 8-1 advantage.

Ayers was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on base for Tara McGee, who responded with her first career round-tripper – a three-run shot – for an 11-1 margin.

For the game, Ayers had three hits and four RBI. Morley tallied three hits as well. Wexler accounted for two hits and scored three runs. Stanley drove in two and scored twice while McGee had three RBI.

In the circle, Baker got the start and worked 3.1 innings. She struck out three. Phillips went the rest of the way to get the win. She struck out seven.
 
The Pacers return to action tomorrow for the final game of the series. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.