COCHRAN, Ga. - The USCA baseball team split the final two games of the series against Middle Georgia, dropping the middle contest 11-6 before besting the Knights 16-7 in the finale.
The Pacers are now 11-3 on the season, including 2-1 in PBC play.
Saturday's game was halted in the eighth inning due to inclement weather. The game resumed Sunday at 1 p.m. and the teams played the final game of the series immediately following the conclusion of the contest.
Head coach
Keith Gorman's team jumped on top with a four-run first inning in the second game of the series.
Chancellor Jennings walked and scored on a two-out double by
Blake Martin.
Donovan Glisson drew a walk and
Salvatore Laimo blasted a three-run shot over the left center field wall for a quick four-run cushion.
The Pacers extended the margin to 5-0 in the third when
Osmin Melendez's base hit knocked in Laimo, who had walked, swiped second and third.
The Knights responded with two in the third, three in the fourth and six in the fifth for an 11-5 advantage. However, Gorman's team continued playing hard. In the seventh,
Yariel Diaz crushed a lead-off home run, making it 11-6. USCA was unable to get any closer.
For the game, Diaz led the way with two hits, including a home run. Laimo crushed a three-run round-tripper. He also scored twice.
On the mound, Brady Dunlap got the start and worked 2.2 innings with four strikeouts.
Nick Napolitano threw two-thirds of a frame.
Myles Chabi worked 1.1 innings with a strikeout.
Kerry Herndon-Brown saw time on the mound.
Luke Norman threw 2.1 frames with a strikeout while
Kyle Stock worked a scoreless frame.
In the final game of the series,
Evan Harding singled and moved to third on a base knock from
Chancellor Jennings. Diaz's grounder allowed Harding to score.
USCA increased the lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the second.
Maverick Grigsby singled and took second on a walk to
Johann Rodriguez. Melendez ripped a single through the right side, plating Grigsby. Rodriguez crossed home on a sacrifice fly by Harding.
Leading 3-2 in the third, Martin crushed a lead-off home run over the right center field wall. Melendez led off the fourth with a triple and trotted home on Harding's double down the right field line.
Trailing 6-5, Grigsby drew a two-out walk in the fifth inning. He raced around and scored on Rodriguez's double to left field, tying the game at 6-6.
With the bases loaded in the sixth frame, Grigsby earned a walk, driving in Martin. After a pitching change, Rodriguez walked, plating Glisson. A fielder's choice allowed Laimo to cross home. A double steal allowed Grigsby to swipe home for a 10-7 advantage. Harding tripled in Melendez before scoring on a wild pitch for a 12-7 margin, concluding the six-run stanza.
Martin stole home and Rodriguez singled in Laimo in the seventh frame for a 14-7 edge. Martin knocked in Harding, who had walked, in the eighth. Gorman's team added to the lead in the ninth with a solo blast by Laimo.
For the game, Harding, Jennings and Martin had three hits apiece. Martin and Laimo recorded home runs while Harding and Melendez each had a triple. Harding and Rodriguez notched doubles. Melendez and Rodriguez had two hits each. Harding, Martin, Grigsby and Laimo all scored three times apiece while Melendez crossed home twice.
On the mound,
Ben Shepherd got the start and worked 3.1 innings. He had three strikeouts.
Dylan Dickert tossed 1.1 frames and had two strikeouts while
CJ Lincoln worked the final 4.1 innings and had three strikeouts while picking up the win.
The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they host Lenoir-Rhyne at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
