AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a doubleheader against Flagler on Senior Day. The Pacers lost the first game 4-3 before picking up a 5-2 win in the nightcap.

 
The Pacers are now 18-27 on the season, including 10-13 in PBC play.
 
In the opener, the Saints managed to plate four runs in the top of the first inning, but head coach Jaclin Poole went to the bullpen and Payton Baker came in and shut the visitors down.
 
USC Aiken put its first base runner on when Skylar Morley beat out a ball to the shortstop in the second, but she was left stranded.
 
In the fourth, Shi Cain reached on a fielding error and Grace Ann Thompkins trotted on as a pinch runner. Emily Ayers belted a double to left center field, putting two runners in scoring position. Mallory Shaver grounded out, but it allowed Thompkins to race home. Back-to-back pop flies ended the threat.
 
USC Aiken cut into the deficit in the sixth. With one down, Shaver walked. Jena Dewalt came in as a pinch runner and moved to second when Lauren Wexler reached on a fielder's choice. Morley laid down a bunt and reached. A throwing error allowed everyone to move up 60 feet while making it 4-2. Moments later, Taylor Butts popped up, but a fielding error allowed Morley to score from second base while cutting the margin to 4-3.
 
The Pacers had a chance to tie the game in the seventh but could not do so. Jessica Stanley poked a single to left center field with one down and moved to third on Shi Cain's hit down the left field line. Ashlyn White came in for Stanley and moved to third on a fly ball, but a groundout ended the game.
 
For the contest, Stanley and Morley each had two hits. Shaver drove in a run while Morley, Thompkins and Dewalt scored.
 
In the circle, Rebekah Cook got the start. Baker worked the final 6.2 innings and had nine strikeouts with only two walks and two base hits allowed.
 
In game two, trailing 1-0 in the second inning, Morley garnered a one-out walk. Lauren Wexler singled through the right side to put two Pacers on the base paths. After Taylor Butts laid down a sacrifice bunt, Ella Stone knotted the score with a single through the left side of the infield.
 
USC Aiken took the lead in the third. Stanley singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cain. Emily Ayers rocketed a single to center field for her 100th career RBI as Stanley slid in just ahead of the tag attempt for a 2-1 lead. Morley ripped a single through the right side of the infield allowing Ayers to race home from second base for a two-run edge.
 
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, Cain singled to center field and Thompkins came in as a pinch runner. Ayers doubled to right center field and moved to third on the throw as Thompkins was erased on the base paths. A single by Shaver plated Ayers for the two-run edge.
 
USC Aiken added to the lead in the sixth when Stanley ripped a single off the pitcher, plating Stone who had walked earlier in the inning.
 
For the game, Ayers, Stanley and Wexler had two hits apiece. Ayers tallied the team's lone extra base hit – a double. She also crossed home twice.
 
In the circle, Lakyn Phillips went the distance for the win. She had five strikeouts and gave up just one earned run.
 
The Pacers return to action tomorrow for the final game of the series starting at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.