AMERICUS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost an 8-6 contest at Georgia Southwestern Sunday afternoon.

The Pacers conclude the regular season at 18-31 overall and 10-17 in league play.

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team jumped on top with a run in the top of the first. With two down, Emily Ayers drew a walk and moved to third on a single by Mallory Shaver. Skylar Morley ripped a single to left field, plating Ayers for the 1-0 advantage.

The Hurricanes tied the contest in the bottom of the third, but Poole's team broke the 1-1 contest in the fifth stanza.

With one down, Jakayla McKelvey beat out an infield ball for a single. Ayers reached on an error, which pushed McKelvey to third. After a walk to Shaver, Morley reached on a fielder's choice that erased McKelvey at the plate. Shi Cain rocketed a ball high off the center field wall that cleared the bags for a 4-1 lead.

GSW took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the inning off a grand slam but once again Poole's team battled back. Jena Dewalt reached on a bunt single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After moving to third on a passed ball, Jessica Stanley's well-placed sacrifice bunt drove in Dewalt to make it 5-5.

The home team regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. In the seventh, Shaver led off the frame with a single and Ashlyn White came in as a pinch runner. With one down, Cain doubled her home to make it 8-6. However, USC Aiken could get no closer.

For the game, Cain and Shaver had two hits apiece. Cain drove in four while Ayers scored twice. Payton Baker got the start and worked four innings. Lakyn Phillips came in and tossed the final two frames. She struck out two in the loss.

The Pacers will head to the PBC Tournament. The tournament bracket will be released by the league office Tuesday evening.