AMERICUS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost both games of a doubleheader at Georgia Southwestern Saturday by scores of 3-2 and 3-0.

The Pacers are now 18-30 overall and 10-16 in league play.

In game one, head coach Jaclin Poole's team trailed 1-0 until the top of the fourth frame. With two down, Mallory Shaver took a pitch and promptly blasted a shot over the center field wall for a solo round-tripper, knotting the score at 1-1.

The Pacers threatened in the fifth stanza. With two down, Ella Stone was hit by a pitch. Holly Daum drew a walk and Jessica Stanley was also beaned, loading the bags. However, a foul out ended the inning.

Down 3-1 in the top of the seventh, Poole's team got things going. Grace Ann Thompkins entered as a pinch hitter and proceeded to double to center field. Cameron Greene singled, putting runners on first and third. Greene stole second base. With two away, Stanley went to the opposite field, driving in Thompkins. The hard-hit single forced Greene to stay at third base. With two on, a strikeout ended the game.

Payton Baker went the distance. She struck out six and walked one in the loss.

In game two, USC Aiken fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first and the home squad tacked on another run in the fourth for the three-run victory.

The Pacers accounted for a pair of hits in the game – one from Emily Ayers and one by Taylor Butts.

In the top of the third, Butts singled to left field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Stone. She hustled to third base on a passed ball but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

USC Aiken managed to put a runner on base in the fifth and seventh frames but neither crossed home plate.  

For the game, Lakyn Phillips went the distance. She struck out four and gave up three runs – but only one was earned.