DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team topped third-seeded Georgia Southwestern 3-2 in the PBC Tournament Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 20-31 on the season while the Hurricanes are 38-16 on the year.

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning. Emily Ayers was hit by a pitch and moved to second when Mallory Shaver laid down a sacrifice bunt. An error allowed Ayers to move to third. Grace Ann Thompkins came in as a pinch runner and hustled her way to second base on a steal.

Lauren Wexler reached on a bunt and moved to second. Her hit allowed Ayers to race home for the 1-0 advantage.

The Pacers moved the score to 2-0 with a run in the fifth frame. Jessica Stanley singled to second base and moved to second on a rocket to left field from Ayers. Shaver's base knock loaded the bases. Two batters later, Wexler singled home Ayers for the two-run advantage.

GSW knotted the score with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, but USC Aiken quickly regained the lead. In the top of the sixth, Holly Daum blasted a single to right field and trotted to second when Stanley earned a base on balls. Shi Cain pelted a double to the gap in right center field to plate Daum for the one-run margin.

In the bottom of the seventh, Lakyn Phillips struck out one of the toughest hitters in Division II and then forced a groundout. The Canes, however, did not give up. GSW had back-to-back hits to put the winning run in scoring position. Phillips promptly ended the game on a swinging strikeout.  

For the game, Shaver led the way with two hits while Wexler drove in two runs. Cain had a hit and one RBI. Stanley, Skylar Morley, Ella Stone and Daum all had hits. Ayers crossed home twice while Daum scored once.

In the circle, Payton Baker got the start and went 4.2 innings. She struck out three in the win. Phillips tossed the final 2.1 innings and had three strikeouts to pick up the victory.

The Pacers return to action Sunday at 12 p.m., in the PBC Semifinals.