AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA baseball team scored six runs in the sixth and seventh innings in the 16-3 victory over Lynn Friday evening.
The Pacers are now 7-1 on the season.
Head coach
Keith Gorman's team jumped on top with a pair of runs in the third inning.
Joshua Johnson was hit by a pitch and swiftly swiped second base.
Osmin Melendez knocked a pitch into right field, plating Johnson to make it 1-0. Melendez hustled home when
Evan Harding ripped a double to left center field, giving USCA a 2-0 cushion.
Salvatore Laimo got things going in the fourth with a walk. After a base on balls to
Donovan Glisson,
Maverick Grigsby rocketed a single to left field, knocking in Laimo. Glisson came around to score on a double play, extending the margin to 4-0.
USCA broke open the game in the sixth. Laimo started the frame with a single and took second on Glisson's walk. Moments later, Grigsby brought both home on a base hit. Gorman's team made it 7-0 on a double steal as Johnson took second and Grigsby crossed home. Harding's base hit to center field plated Johnson for an eight-run margin.
Blake Martin's sacrifice fly allowed Melendez to race home. Laimo's single to left plated Harding, concluding the scoring in the six-run sixth.
Johnson started the seventh with a base knock to center field. With two down, he swiped second base. Two batters later,
Yariel Diaz belted a single to left field, driving in Johnson. Martin crushed a pitch into center field, plating two.
Johann Rodriguez entered as a pinch hitter. ON the first pitch, he laced a shot into right field, driving in Diaz and Martin. Grigsby singled in Laimo.
Cameron Austin Jr., reached on an error, allowing Rodriguez to cross home for a 16-0 margin.
For the game, Grigsby and Harding led the way with three hits apiece. Grigsby drove in four while Harding knocked in two. Laimo and Melendez had two hits each. Laimo scored three times and Melendez crossed home twice. Martin and Rodriguez each drove in two while Johnson and Glisson scored three times and twice, respectively.
On the mound,
Joseph Rauscher got the start and tossed six shutout innings. He had three strikeouts while picking up his first win as a Pacer.
Luke Norman entered in the seventh and worked two frames.
Landon Boyd entered and threw the ninth inning.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
