AIKEN, S.C. – The No. 22 USCA baseball team lost a hard fought 5-3 contest to Columbus State Friday evening in the first game of the PBC series.

The Pacers are now 15-5 overall, including 5-2 in PBC play. The Cougars stand at 10-7 on the year, including 5-2 against conference foes.

Head coach Keith Gorman's team jumped on top with a run in the first frame. Chancellor Jennings ripped the first pitch he saw into center field. After swiping second base, he moved to third before scoring on Blake Martin's groundout for a 1-0 edge.

The Cougars pushed across two runs in the second and three in the third for a 5-1 lead.

USCA struck for two runs in the fifth stanza. Johann Rodriguez recorded a lead-off single to left center field. Two batters later, Osmin Melendez's single put runners on first and second before Jennings drew a full-count walk to load the bags. Yariel Diaz doubled home two, cutting the margin to 5-3.

The score remained at 5-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Evan Harding entered as a pinch hitter and laced an offering into the outfield for a single. Diaz was hit by a pitch to put two on, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the game.

For the game, Rodriguez led the way with three hits. Salvatore Laimo notched two hits. Diaz had two RBI on a double. Martin drove in one while Rodriguez, Jennings and Melendez crossed home once apiece.

On the mound, Joseph Rauscher worked seven innings and had five strikeouts in the loss. CJ Lincoln tossed two scoreless innings with a strikeout.

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