AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team posted a 5-4 eight-inning victory over Lander Friday evening on a walk-off home run by Kate Newberry.

The Pacers are now 21-12 on the season, including 6-7 in league play.

The game was scoreless until the Bearcats broke through with four runs in the fourth inning. However, head coach Jaclin Poole's team quickly responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame.

Mallory Shaver drew a walk and Grace Ann Thompkins came in as a pinch runner. Newberry singled, pushing Thompkins to second. A Chloe Phillips base knock to right center field plated Thompkins.

Ashlyn White came in as a pinch runner and moved to second on Skylar Morley's base hit to third base. After Cameron Greene came in as a pinch hitter, she swiftly ripped a single through the left side of the infield, driving in Newberry. Moments later, Jena Dewalt's grounder knocked in White, pulling the team within one at 4-3.

In the fifth, Newberry launched a 3-2 pitch to right center field, tying the game at 4-4. The score remained the same through seven innings.

Payton Baker shut down the visitors in the eighth inning. After the Bearcats had someone on base, she got the final out of the inning on a strikeout.

In the bottom half of the stanza, Newberry ended the game quickly. On the first pitch she saw, Newberry crushed the offering over the left field wall for the walk-off victory.  

For the game, Newberry and Morley had three hits apiece. Newberry crushed two solo home runs and scored three times.

In the circle, Baker went the distance to get the win. She gave up four runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits. Baker tallied six strikeouts in the victory.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Bearcats starting at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.