AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team posted a pair of victories over American International Saturday, winning by scores of 7-5 and 12-2.
The Pacers are now 2-7 on the season.
In game one, head coach
Michael Holder's team jumped out to a 2-0 lead. With one down,
Doom Dennis drew a full-count walk and moved to second on an error that allowed
Cade Bouknight to reach safely.
JB Bell's base knock loaded the bases. On the ensuing pitch,
Brock Myers was hit, driving in Dennis. Justin Sharp reached on a fielder's choice that plated Bouknight to make it 2-0.
AIC battled back and took the lead after scoring a run in the third, fourth and fifth before plating two runs in the sixth for a 5-2 edge.
USC Aiken sliced the deficit to just one with two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out rally. Bell was the catalyst, poking a single through the left side of the infield before moving to second on a Myers' infield hit. A balk pushed both runners up 90 feet and Sharp roped a single into left field, driving in both Bell and Myers.
The Pacers got things going in the seventh when
Dalton Graves doubled to right field. After an intentional walk to
Capers Molinaroli,
Kaden Usry's sacrifice bunt pushed Graves across home plate. As a pinch hitter,
Justin Byrd smacked an offering to left field for a double, driving in Molinaroli. Bouknight's single to center field on the next pitch made it a 7-5 game in favor of the home team.
For the game, Bell, Graves and Myers had two hits apiece. Graves had a pair of doubles. Sharp drove in three while seven different Pacers crossed home in the win.
On the mound,
Hunter Steger worked five innings and had nine strikeouts but did not figure into the decision.
Derek Espinoza worked four frames to get the victory. He had two strikeouts and gave up just one unearned run on one hit.
In game two, USC Aiken plated three runs in the first inning. Sharp led off the at bat with a walk and trotted to second on a walk to Myers. Graves reached on an error, which allowed Sharp and Myers to score. Moments later, Graves scored on a double play to make it 3-0.
Leading 3-1, Molinaroli came around to score on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third inning. Byrd crossed home on Bouknight's base hit, pushing the margin to four, 5-1.
Holder's squad tacked on three more runs in the fourth stanza. After Myers walked and swiped second base, Graves reached safely. They each stole a bag and Myers scored on a sacrifice fly by Byrd. Usry's triple to left center field plated Graves and Usry raced home on a wild pitch for a seven-run advantage.
USC Aiken extended the margin to 11-1 with a three-run seventh inning. Two runs came in when Molinaroli ripped a single through the left side, scoring
Wyatt McPherson and Myers. A balk allowed Graves to trot home.
A
Bradley White II single up the middle plated Bouknight in the eighth inning for the team's final run of the game.
For the game, Graves and Molinaroli had two hits apiece. Molinaroli drove in two while Graves and Myers each crossed home three times. Usry posted the team's lone extra base hit – a triple.
Evan Condon got the starting nod.
Matt Garcia tossed 5.1 frames of relief and had two strikeouts to pick up the win.
Jared Huse worked the final two innings and had three strikeouts.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow against American International starting at 11 a.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
