AIKEN, S.C. – The
Keith Gorman era started with a pair of tremendous wins over Mars Hill. USCA recorded a 6-3 win in the opener before
Ben Shepherd threw a no-hitter in a 10-0 victory in the nightcap.
It marked USCA's second no-hitter in the Division II era. The other time it occurred was on March 20, 2006 when Pete Pignatiello did so against Anderson in the 11-0 win.
The Pacers are now 2-0 on the season.
Trailing 3-0 in the fifth inning, USCA quickly knotted the contest.
Chancellor Jennings reached on a one-out error.
Yariel Diaz roped a double down the left field line, knocking in Jennings. Two batters later,
Salvatore Laimo singled up the middle, driving in Diaz. After a wild pitch, Laimo raced home on a single by
Cameron Austin Jr.
With two outs in the sixth,
Evan Harding belted a solo round-tripper over the left field wall for a 4-3 advantage.
The score remained the same until the eighth. Harding doubled and moved to third on a fly ball by Jennings. Two batters later,
Blake Martin doubled in Harding and Diaz for what turned out to be the final score.
For the game, Diaz posted three hits, drove in one and scored twice. Harding posted a double and home run while scoring twice. Jennings doubled and scored while Martin doubled in two. Laimo drove in one and scored while Austin Jr., drove in one.
Donovan Glisson and Zach Chavis each had base knocks.
On the mound,
Joseph Rauscher got the start and worked 5.1 frames. He had eight strikeouts and gave up three runs on four hits.
Nick Napolitano tossed the final 3.2 frames and posted five strikeouts to pick up the victory.
Game two saw Gorman's team jump on top in the bottom of the first. With one down, Jennings singled to right field and moved to second on Diaz's walk. Jennings raced home on Martin's infield single. Laimo promptly lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, pushing Diaz across home for a two-run margin.
USCA pushed across a run in the fourth with a solo blast from Austin Jr. In the sixth, the team put the game away.
Ryan Becker walked and moved to second on Harding's single. After Jennings was hit by a pitch, Diaz launched a round-tripper over the left field fence for a 7-0 advantage. Glisson scored on an error in the eighth.
Jennings drew a walk in the eighth and promptly stole second. He was able to trot home when Martin crushed an offering over the right field wall for a two-run shot.
Diaz led the way with a grand slam. He had two hits and scored twice. Martin had a home run and drove in three. Becker had a pair of hits. Jennings scored three times while Austin Jr., smacked a solo blast.
On the mound, Shepherd struck out five and walked just one while throwing the no-hitter. He needed just 91 pitches to establish the spectacular debut.
The Pacers return to action Friday, Feb. 6, when they host Emory & Henry at 4 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
