AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA baseball team used a five-run eighth inning to defeat No. 8 IUP Friday evening by a score of 6-5.

The Pacers are now 5-6 on the season while the Crimson Hawks fall to 0-1.

IUP pushed across a run in the second and two in the third for a 3-0 advantage. Head coach Michael Holder's team did not record a base runner until the bottom of the fifth when Brody Yeomans ripped a one-out single to right field. However, back-to-back outs ended the threat.

Tyler Casciato belted an 0-2 pitch up the middle to start the seventh. Yeomans singled to right field, pushing Casciato to third base. Kaden Usry reached on an error and Casciato, who was racing home on contact, scored to make it 3-1.

Holder's team knotted the game in the eighth. Trevor Gruszka entered as a pinch hitter and promptly earned a full-count walk. Two batters later, Capers Molinaroli crushed a 1-0 offering over the left field wall, tying the game at 3-3. On the ensuing pitch, Hunter Thompson ripped a single to right field. Cannon Frost entered as a pinch runner and stole second base. Casciato singled, pushing Frost to third base.

Casciato swiped second and Usry drew a walk. With the bases loaded, Jack Hobson earned a 3-1 walk, pushing Frost home. Glisson also earned a base on balls, plating Casciato for a 5-3 advantage. Batting for the second time in the inning, Gruszka walked on four pitches, propelling the Pacers to a 6-3 lead.

The visitors plated two runs in the ninth, but a fielder's choice ended the game.

For the game, Casciato and Yeomans had two hits apiece. Molinaroli drove in a pair of runs while Casciato scored twice.

On the mound, Blayne Newman was exceptional. He threw a nine-pitch, three-strikeout first inning. Additionally, in the fifth stanza, Newman posted the ever-rare four strikeouts. He posted a career-best 13 strikeouts, besting his previous career high of nine against Seton Hill. Newman gave up three runs on six hits and walked just one.

Jacob Butler struck out a batter. Butler, Damien Ashley and Cole Evilsizor worked an inning apiece. Ashley picked up the win while Evilsizor garnered the save.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they host No. 8 IUP for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.