HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team held off a comeback bid by the Coker Cobras to win 4-3 Wednesday evening.
The Pacers are now 14-5 on the season and are on a five-game winning streak.
Head coach
Michael Holder's team got on the board first in the third inning starting with a single by
Kaden Blankenship. He was pushed to second on a single by
Kaden Usry. A double by
Tyler Littlefield scored Blankenship.
The Cobras took the lead in the bottom of the third with a two-run homerun.
USC Aiken regained the lead in the sixth inning. After two quick strikeouts,
Jackson Hannon was walked.
Justin Byrd doubled sending Hannon home.
Luke Parker then singled to right field scoring Byrd making the score 3-2.
In the seventh, the Pacers added a bit of protection to the score. Blankenship was walked to start the inning. Usry singled moving Blankenship to second. A balk by the pitcher advanced both runners to second and third. Littlefield sent a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Blankenship.
Coker began to mount a comeback in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, they scored a run, before hitting into a double play to end the threat.
In the ninth inning, Parker opened the inning with a double and found his way to third on a passed ball. A strikeout ended the chances at a run. On defense, it was a one-two-three bottom of the ninth for the Pacers to end the game.
Derek Espinoza got the start and his first win of the season pitching six innings giving up two runs on three hits with nine strikeouts.
In relief,
AJ Deibel pitched two frames allowing one run on two hits and striking out one.
Dylan Wilhelm collected his fifth save of the season in one inning of work facing three batters and striking out one.
For the game, Parker went three-for-four with a double and an RBI. Littlefield collected a double and two RBI. Byrd also hit a double with a run and an RBI.
The Pacers return to action Friday, March 10, for a three-game series at home versus Flagler. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com for the 6 p.m. first pitch.
