ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The USCA baseball team recorded a 12-9 victory at Claflin Friday afternoon in the PBC opener.
The Pacers are now 9-7 overall, including 1-0 in PBC play.
Head coach
Michael Holder's team jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first and never looked back.
Josh Sharp led off the game with a walk and moved to second on a base knock by
Capers Molinaroli. After
Hunter Thompson reached on a fielder's choice,
Donovan Glisson loaded the bags with a base hit.
Tyler Casciato produced a single, plating Molinaroli for a 1-0 lead.
Jack Hobson promptly cleared the bags with a grand slam, propelling the Pacers to a five-run cushion.
Up 5-1 in the second,
Griffin Rowe led off the frame with a single. He scored on a triple by Sharp. Molinaroli extended the edge to 7-1 on a base hit, driving in Sharp.
Leading 7-2 in the fourth, Molinaroli posted a double, driving in Sharp, who had reached on an error.
Holding an 8-6 lead, Holder's offense continued to add to the margin. With one down, Sharp and Molinaroli each walked before Thompson recorded a three-run blast for an 11-6 edge.
With the score at 11-7, Molinaroli drew a lead-off walk in the eighth. After Thompson and
Brody Yeomans each walked, Casciato lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, driving in Molinaroli.
The Panthers scored two runs in the eighth, but that was as close as the team could get.
For the game, Molinaroli led the way with a three-hit, three-walk performance. He drove in two and scored three times. Hobson drove in four while Thompson had three RBI. Casciato knocked in two. Sharp crossed home three times while Thompson scored twice.
On the mound,
Blayne Newman got the start and worked three frames while striking out six.
Damien Ashley worked four frames and had five strikeouts.
Jacob Butler pitched the eighth while
Cole Evilsizor tossed the ninth. Butler and Evilsizor had two strikeouts apiece.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they play a doubleheader at Claflin beginning at 1 p.m.
