AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA baseball team opened the season in fine fashion Friday afternoon with an 18-3 victory over Mars Hill while Capers Molinaroli tied the school record with five base hits.

The Pacers are now 1-0 on the season while the Lions fall to 0-1.

Griffin Rowe started off the bottom of the first, swiped second and scored on a double by Josh Sharp. Molinaroli singled in Sharp for a 2-0 advantage. Hunter Thompson's single put two on. Moments later, Molinaroli scored on an error. Donovan Glisson launched a two-run home run for a 5-0 margin before the visitors managed to get out of the inning.

USCA tacked on a run in the second and third innings, respectively, for a 7-0 lead. Cannon Frost walked and promptly crossed home on a double by Molinaroli. Tyler Casciato drew a walk and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Eliud Poventud for the seven-run cushion.

The Pacers struck for two runs in the fifth. Molinaroli singled, advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches and scored on a base knock by Thompson. Later in the frame, Poventud registered another sacrifice fly that plated Casciato for a 9-0 margin.

MHU got on the board with three runs in the sixth stanza, but USCA quickly responded. In the bottom of the inning, Molinaroli tagged an offering and sent it over the right field wall for a 10-3 lead.

USCA added to the lead in the seventh when Frost doubled home Jack Hobson, who reached on an infield single. Brody Yeomans kept things going with a single through the right side of the infield, plating Frost. With the bases loaded, Thompson drew a walk and Casciato was hit by a pitch. Hobson's single brought in Molinaroli and Thompson for a 16-3 margin. Molinaroli's double to left center field allowed Poventud and Sharp to trot home for the team's final runs.    

For the game, Molinaroli had five hits, including three for extra bases. He had a home run, two doubles and scored four times. Sharp posted four hits, including a double. Hobson and Glisson had three hits while Thompson had two hits. Sharp crossed home three times while Casciato, Frost and Thompson scored twice apiece. Poventud tied the school record with two sacrifice flies.

On the mound, Kevin Cox was outstanding. He worked 5.2 innings and had six strikeouts to go along with just one walk. He did not allow a hit until the sixth frame. Charles Herring, Jr., worked one-third of an inning before Jared Huse entered the contest. Huse worked two frames before Jacob Butler closed out the contest in the ninth with three strikeouts.

The Pacers return to action Saturday for the second game of the series against the Lions. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.