AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a 6-3 contest at Lander Thursday evening in the first game of the three-game series.

The Pacers are now 14-24 on the season, including 6-10 in league play. The Bearcats are 19-11 overall and 10-6 against PBC teams.

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team trailed 1-0 entering the top of the fourth and they promptly took the lead with a pair of round-trippers.

Emily Ayers knotted the game on a solo home run high over the left center field fence. Not to be outdone, Shi Cain gave the Pacers a 2-1 lead moments later after blasting her 10^th round-tripper, which cleared the left center field wall as well.

Lander plated two runs in the bottom of the frame, regaining the one-run margin at 3-2.

The score remained the same until the sixth inning. Jena Dewalt came in as a pinch hitter and reached base on a passed ball on strike three. She swiftly made her way to second base when Ayers beat out an infield single to shortstop. Each runner moved up 60 feet on a wild pitch.

Cain tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Dewalt. Mallory Shaver followed her up with a base hit through the left side of the defense, pushing Ayers to third. Ayers was out at home on a fielder's choice for the second out and USC Aiken was unable to push across the go-ahead run in the frame.

The Bearcats scored three runs in the sixth inning for the final tally.

For the game, Cain had two hits, two RBI and scored a run. Ayers tallied two hits, one RBI and scored once. Cameron Greene and Shaver each had a hit while Dewalt scored a run.

In the circle, Payton Baker got the start and worked 3.2 innings. She gave up three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. Lakyn Phillips tossed the final two innings with three strikeouts. She gave up three runs on four hits.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow for the final two games of the series starting at 3 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.