AIKEN, S.C. – Trailing by one in the bottom of the ninth, freshman Justin Byrd laced a two-RBI, two-out single, sending the University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team to a 4-3 win over Lander Sunday evening in the regular-season finale. 

The Pacers are now 30-20 on the season, including a 20-10 ledger in PBC play. 

Trailing 1-0 going in the bottom of the fifth, head coach Michael Holder's team knotted the game after Marcus Mastellone jump started the offense with one away. Mastellone blasted a double to left center field. He moved to third on Tyler Littlefield's deep fly ball to right field. Rookie Justin Byrd performed well on Senior Day, knotting the score at 1-1 with his clutch base knock to right field.

Down 2-1 in the sixth, Jackson Hannon launched an offering high over the left field wall while tying the score at 2-2. 

The Bearcats loaded the bases in the top of the ninth, but Byrd forced a double play. However, the visitors managed to have one run cross home plate on the groundout that Littlefield snagged near second base. Littlefield made the throw to first for the second out. Seconds later, Byrd managed to get another groundout to end the stanza. However, LU held a 3-2 advantage going into the bottom of the ninth. 

Josh Sharp trotted in as a pinch hitter and he came through with a single to center field. Sharp swiped second on a 2-1 pitch to Mastellone to get into scoring position. Mastellone was able to earn a base on balls to put two runners on the base paths. A wild pitch allowed Sharp and Bryce Bulls, who came in as a pinch runner, to move up 90 feet to second and third base, respectively. Luke Parker entered as a pinch hitter and worked the count full before drawing a walk. 

Byrd's single plated Sharp and Bulls for the one-run victory. Bulls' run marked the game-winning score. 

For the game, Byrd led the way with two hits and three RBI. Hannon and Tripp had two hits apiece. Hannon recorded a home run and a double with one RBI and one run scored.

Tai Gilbert launched a double as did Mastellone. Litlefield had a hit and Sharp had one hit while scoring once. 

Evan Condon got the start and worked five innings. He struck out three. Cole Evilsizor notched a strikeout in two innings of work. Byrd picked up the win, tossing the final two innings with two strikeouts. 

The Pacers return to action in the PBC Tournament. Going in as the No. 3 seed, Holder's team will travel to No. 2 Young Harris for that portion of the postseason event. The PBC will announce the brackets.