COLUMBUS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a 9-5 decision at Columbus State Sunday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 20-12 on the year and 5-7 in PBC play.

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Jena Dewalt started the game off with an infield single and moved to second on Lydia Johnson's bunt single. A sacrifice bunt from Chloe Phillips pushed both runners into scoring position and Austyn Dixon plated both of them on a double to center field. Anna Turner's base knock to left center field allowed Dixon to race home for the three-run margin.

USC Aiken struck again in the top of the third. On the first pitch of the frame, Dixon crushed a line drive home run down the left field line. Two batters later, Skylar Morley roped a single to left field. A Riley Daniel bunt single with the infield in and on the move allowed Morley to race to third base. An errant play at second base trying to get Daniel out enabled Morley to use her speed to cross home plate for a 5-0 advantage.

CSU cut into the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third. The home team scored seven runs in the fifth for a 9-5 lead.

USC Aiken managed to have just one base runner in the final two innings. The team tallied five runs on eight hits in the contest.

For the game, Dewalt and Dixon had two hits apiece. Dixon registered a home run and a double en route to three RBI while also crossing home twice. Turner had an RBI. Dewalt, Johnson and Morley all crossed home plate in the contest.

In the circle, Lakyn Phillips worked 4.1 innings in the loss. She had six strikeouts while giving up seven runs on five hits, but only two runs were earned. Payton Baker worked the final 1.2 innings and had five strikeouts. She gave up two runs, but neither were earned.

The Pacers return to action Friday when they host Lander at 5 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.