AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken baseball team dropped a 9-1 decision to No. 1 Tampa Friday evening.
The Pacers are now 3-8 on the season while the Spartans are 11-0.
Head coach
Michael Holder's team jumped on top in the second inning.
Doom Dennis registered an infield hit to lead off the stanza and moved to second on a
Cade Bouknight sacrifice bunt. Two batters later,
Bradley White II ripped a double to the gap in right center field to make it 1-0.
Jacob Fletcher was brilliant for USC Aiken – not allowing a base hit by the Spartans until the fourth inning. The top-ranked squad loaded the bags in the fourth but Fletcher recorded a swinging strikeout to end the threat.
Tampa recorded a one-out double in the fifth and had two student-athletes on base but Fletcher forced a fly ball out to Sharp, once again keeping the Spartans at bay.
The visitors broke through for three runs in the sixth for a 3-1 lead.
USC Aiken had a tremendous opportunity in the bottom of the seventh frame to take the lead. With one down, Dennis singled and moved to second on a high throw by the shortstop. Bouknight singled through the left side and a walk to
Brandon Osypczuk loaded the bases. However, a strikeout and a groundout ended the inning.
Tampa added a run in the eighth but Holder's team continued to battle.
Capers Molinaroli blasted a single down the right field line but the stanza ended on a fielder's choice. The Spartans scored five in the ninth for the final tally.
For the game, USC Aiken had one run on seven hits.
Dennis and Molinaroli had two hits apiece. Dennis scored the team's lone run while White II drove him in on a double. Bouknight and Usry managed hits.
Brock Myers and Osypczuk each reached base via walks.
On the mound, Fletcher worked 6.1 innings and struck out six.
Connor Sampers had a strikeout in an inning of work.
Jared Huse had a pair of strikeouts while
Jacob Bodkin had a strikeout.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow for the second game of the series beginning at 3 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.