AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA baseball team cruised to a 17-2 victory over Claflin Friday evening.

The Pacers are now 23-9 on the season, including 11-5 in PBC play.

Head coach Keith Gorman's squad opened the game with a run in the first inning. Evan Harding was hit by a pitch and took second on a balk. Yariel Diaz laced a single to right field for a one-run cushion.

An inning later, Maverick Grigsby walked and hustled to second on a wild pitch. Joshua Johnson's double to the gap in left center field made it 2-0. Osmin Melendez singled, plating Johnson. Moments later, Salvatore Laimo doubled home Harding and Chancellor Jennings. After Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, Grigsby doubled home Blake Martin and Laimo for a seven-run cushion.

The Panthers scored two runs in the fifth, but USCA countered in the sixth stanza. Martin recorded a one-out infield single and trotted to second when Laimo drew a walk. Ryan Becker's double to left center field plated Martin and Laimo. Grigsby singled home Becker, making it 10-2. With the bases loaded, Harding hit a bloop single to right field, driving in Grigsby. A walk to Jennings allowed Johnson to cross home for a 12-2 margin.  

After a pitching change, Yariel Diaz doubled to deep right field, driving in two more. Laimo reached on an error by the shortstop. Jennings scored on the play. Two batters later, Grigsby singled in Diaz and Martin for the 15-run advantage.  

For the game, Grigsby had three hits, five RBI and scored twice. Diaz tallied three hits and drove in three. Harding and Martin notched two hits apiece – and each crossed home three times. Laimo drove in three and scored twice while Becker knocked in two. Johnson scored twice.

On the mound, Joseph Rauscher worked six innings and had six strikeouts. He gave up two runs on four hits with a walk. Will Eichler entered in the seventh frame and had a strikeout.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow when they host Claflin at 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.