YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The No. 3 University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team knocked off No. 2 Young Harris Saturday 3-2 to earn a spot in the PBC Semifinals.

The Pacers improve to 32-20 on the season.

Head coach Michael Holder's team trailed 1-0 heading into the third frame but quickly knotted the score. In the top of the third, Jose Hernandez drove a 1-1 pitch into center field and moved to second on Josh Sharp's sacrifice bunt. Jackson Hannon ripped an 0-1 pitch through the right side to knot the contest.

The Mountain Lions took a 2-1 lead in the fifth with an unearned run. However, Holder's team was up to the challenge. Sharp led off the sixth with a single and scampered to second on a wild pitch. Hannon laid down a tremendous sacrifice bunt to push Sharp to third. Rookie Justin Byrd garnered a hit to left field, driving in Sharp.

The Pacers scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the seventh stanza. With one down, Nick Tripp was hit by a pitch. After trotting to first, he moved to second on a wild pitch. When Kaden Blankenship walked, Tripp raced to third on a wild pitch. Hernandez lifted a sacrifice fly to right center field, allowing Tripp to cross home plate for a 3-2 edge.

Young Harris had the tying run on first in the bottom of the seventh, but Kaden Usry threw him out trying to steal. Joel Haney allowed a base runner in the eighth and ninth innings, but he quickly put down the Mountain Lions, securing the complete-game win.

Haney was outstanding, tossing nine innings while striking out six batters. He gave up two unearned runs on six hits and walked just three.

Byrd, Hannon, Hernandez and Sharp all had hits. Byrd, Hannon and Hernandez all drove in a run while Hernandez, Sharp and Tripp crossed home in the victory.

Hannon and Sharp posted sacrifice hits while Hernandez registered a sacrifice fly.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. Their opponent will be determined tonight at the 7 p.m., game. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.