FLORENCE, S.C. - The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team won a close matchup Tuesday evening against the Patriots of Francis Marion with a final score of 3-1.

The Pacers are now 13-5 on the season.

Francis Marion collected the first run of the contest in the bottom of the third inning.

Head coach Michael Holder's team struck back in the top of the fourth with two runs. Jackson Hannon was walked and then advanced to second when Justin Byrd reached base on a fielding error. Runners were on the move when a pitch got away from the Patriots' catcher and both base runners were awarded stolen bases. Nick Tripp singled to left field scoring both Hannon and Byrd.

In the ninth, USC Aiken added an insurance run. Marcus Mastellone was walked and then moved to second when Kaden Blankenship was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. The bases became full after James Eckert was walked. Josh Sharp hit into a fielder's choice that saw Mastellone get thrown out at home. Hannon hit a sacrifice fly to left center that scored Blankenship and accounted for the last run of the game.

Kevin Cox collected his first win of the season and pitched 5.2 innings giving up one run on five hits with four strikeouts.

Louie Smith started the contest for the Pacers and saw one inning of work allowing one hit while striking out three and walking one. Jacob Bodkin pitched one frame striking out two. Austin Sandifer's lone batter he faced grounded out. Dylan Wilhelm earned his fourth save of the season with one inning of work and fanning one batter.

For the game, Tripp posted a hit and had two RBI. Joseph Mozingo had a double while Dalton Graves and Blankenship each had a single. Luke Parker, Hannon and Byrd each had a stolen base.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow to face the Coker Cobras in Hartsville, S.C. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com for the 6 p.m. first pitch.