AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a doubleheader with Georgia College & State Saturday afternoon, winning 3-2 before falling 7-6 in eight innings.

The Pacers are now 11-18 overall and 5-6 in PBC play.

In game one, head coach Jaclin Poole's team registered the first base hit of the game when Jessica Stanley poked a pitch into left field. USC Aiken threatened in the second with Shi Cain and Skylar Morley in scoring position with one out, but the squad was unable to push across a run.

After Lakyn Phillips got out of a jam in the fourth, Cain belted an offering over the left center field fence for a 1-0 advantage.

GCSU took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth thanks in part to an unearned run. Poole's team regained the advantage in the bottom of the stanza. Kadence Adams came in as a pinch hitter and was walked. Taylor Butts came back in as a pinch runner as Grace Ann Thompkins was put into the game as a pinch hitter. Thompkins laid down a sacrifice bunt and Butts went to third on a throwing error as Thompkins was on first safely. A wild pitch allowed Butts to tie the game. Two batters later, Lauren Wexler's groundout pushed Thompkins across for a 3-2 margin.

With a runner in scoring position, Morley made a sensational running, leaping catch for the final out of the contest, saving the victory.

For the game, Cain, Morley and Stanley had hits. Cain and Wexler each had one RBI, while Butts, Cain and Thompkins crossed home.

Phillips went the distance for the complete-game win. She struck out five and did not allow an earned run on four hits.

In game two, down 1-0 in the bottom of the first, USC Aiken got things going in a hurry. With one away, Lauren Wexler took the first pitch and roped it down the left field line for a triple. Emily Ayers lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1.

Cain singled to left field and scored on Mallory Shaver's double to the gap in right field. After Morley reached on an error that put Shaver at third, USC Aiken secured the double steal to make it 3-1.

GCSU tied things at 3-3 in the top of the second stanza. The Bobcats plated three in the fourth for a 6-3 lead, but USC Aiken trimmed the deficit in the bottom of the frame.

Holly Daum led off the fourth with a double to center field and moved to second on a single by Butts. Adams lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 6-4. Stanley ripped a base hit to left field, driving in Butts. However, the Pacers could not push across another run in the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Butts worked the count to 3-1 before sending a moon shot over the left field fence, tying the game at 6-6.  

GCSU scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the eighth frame. With two down, Cameron Greene walked and moved to second on a passed ball. Stanley singled down the left field line, putting runners at the corners. However, a deep fly ball ended the game.

For the contest, Butts had three hits, including a home run, and scored twice. Cain, Shaver, Stanley and Wexler had two hits apiece. Wexler had a triple while Shaver and Daum each had doubles.

In the circle, Payton Baker worked six innings and had three strikeouts but did not get the decision. Phillips worked the final two innings and had three strikeouts but took the loss.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow for the final game of the series at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.