AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost both games of the doubleheader to No. 1 North Georgia by scores of 5-1 and 5-0.

The Pacers are now 13-5 on the season, including 0-2 in league play.

UNG scored an unearned run in the first and added a pair of runs in the third but head coach Jaclin Poole's team bounced back in the bottom of the stanza. Ella Stone led off the frame with a single to right field and hustled to second on a throwing error. Taylor Butts laid down a sacrifice bunt, pushing Stone to third base. Two batters later, Lydia Johnson ripped a single up the middle, driving in Stone to make it 3-1.

Chloe Phillips poked a single to right field with two out in the fifth, but a strikeout ended the threat.

The Nighthawks pushed across a run in the fifth for a 4-1 edge. Johnson recorded a single in the bottom of the stanza but was left stranded.

In the bottom of the sixth, USC Aiken had a runner on, but a double play ended the frame. Down 5-1 in the seventh, Cameron Greene came in as a pinch hitter and drew a walk. Ella Stone re-entered the game. With two down, Ashlyn White came through with a pinch hit single, pushing Stone to second. However, a groundout ended the game.

For the contest, Johnson had two hits and drove in a run. White, Shaver, Skylar Morley, Chloe Phillips and Stone had hits. Stone scored the team's lone run.

In the circle, Payton Baker went the distance. She struck out seven batters and walked just one. Baker gave up five runs but only three were earned.

In the second game, the Nighthawks recorded a two-run homer in the top of the first. In the second, USC Aiken threatened. Shaver reached on an error. Moments later, Cameron Greene singled, pushing Grace Ann Thompkins to second. Chloe Phillips reached on a fielder's choice, but another fly ball ended the threat.

Jena Dewalt roped a single to right field in the third, but a pop fly ended the inning. Down 5-0 in the fifth, Chloe Phillips singled. Anna Turner came in as a pinch runner. A fielder's choice put Stone on first base, but back-to-back outs left her stranded. Shaver singled in the sixth, but the home team was unable to push across a run.

USC Aiken tried to get things going in the seventh as Kate Newberry came in as a pinch hitter and promptly rocketed a pitch to left field. Moments later, Stone singled to put two on with one away.

For the game, Dewalt, Greene, Chloe Phillips, Newberry, Stone and Shaver all had hits.

In the circle, Lakyn Phillips went the distance. She gave up five runs on five hits. She struck out eight batters.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow for the final game of the series starting at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.