HARDEEVILLE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team completed the three-game sweep against USC Beaufort Sunday afternoon with a 16-3 victory.

The Pacers are now 12-5 on the season and a perfect 6-0 in league play.

Head coach Michael Holder's team got the scoring started early when the first batter of the day, James Eckert, reached base by way of walk. Eckert promptly stole second and then was advanced to third on a Josh Sharp fly out. Jackson Hannon singled to left scoring Eckert.

USC Aiken added two more runs in the top of the third. After two quick outs by the Sand Sharks, Sharp singled and was advanced to second on a throwing error. Hannon doubled down the left field line scoring Sharp. Justin Byrd then singled down the left field line but was thrown out at second trying to grab an extra bag. The damage had been done as Hannon had scored the second run of the inning before the put out.

USC Beaufort narrowed to lead to two in the bottom of the third with three straight singles that scored a run.

The Pacers continued to pile on the runs with one in the fourth that was scored by Nick Tripp when he stole home.

In the fifth, with one away, USC Aiken had two well placed doubles, first by Hannon into right center and then by Byrd to left center, scoring Hannon. Luke Parker then advanced Byrd to third with a single and Tripp sent him home with a single up the middle.

Sharp scored from second on a single by Parker to left field in the seventh. Sharp had reached base after being hit by a pitch and then stole second.

The onslaught was on in the top of the eighth as the Pacers scored nine runs. Marcus Mastellone accounted for two runs while Kaden Blankenship, Eckert, Sharp, Byrd, Tai Gilbert, Dalton Graves and Jose Hernandez all accounted for one.

The Sand Sharks chipped away at the huge lead in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run homerun, but the game was called early due to the run-rule.

On the mound, Jacob Fletcher collected the complete game win. He gave up three runs on six hits with two strikeouts and zero walks.

For the game, Hannon went three-for-five with two doubles, two runs and three RBI while also collecting a steal. Byrd was three-for-five with a double, two runs, and three RBI. Sharp scored three runs on two-of-four hitting with a double, two RBI and a stolen base.

Blankenship scored a double on two-for-five hitting with a run and an RBI while Mastellone collected two hits in the contest while Tyler Littlefield, and Hernandez each had one. 

The Pacers return to action on Tuesday, March 7 against Francis Marion in Florence, S.C. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com for the 6 p.m. first pitch.