AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA baseball team registered a 16-6 eight-inning win over Augusta for the series sweep Saturday afternoon.
The Pacers are now 30-12 on the year, including 17-7 in PBC play.
Head coach
Keith Gorman's squad trailed 2-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning. With two down,
Evan Harding launched an 0-1 pitch over the left center field wall, making it 2-1.
Down 4-1 in the fifth,
Johann Rodriguez was hit by a pitch and took second on a groundout. Moments later,
Chancellor Jennings posted a single to right field, knocking in Rodriguez while
Osmin Melendez, who walked, went to third. Two pitches later,
Yariel Diaz cranked an offering over the center field wall for a 5-4 edge.
Blake Martin was hit by a pitch and swiped second. On a full count,
Salvatore Laimo singled to center field, allowing Martin to cross home plate for a two-run cushion.
USCA broke the game open an inning later. Melendez walked and hustled to third on Harding's single. Jennings' infield single plated Melendez. Two batters later, Martin was hit by a pitch, loading the bags. Laimo's base knock drove in Harding and Jennings.
Maverick Grigsby followed it up with a single that scored Martin and Laimo for an 11-4 lead. Harding's base hit drove in
Donovan Glisson and Melendez for a nine-run margin, 13-4.
Up 13- 6 Glisson doubled home Grigsby. Two batters later, Harding reached on an error, allowing Rodriguez and Glisson to score for the 16-6 win.
For the game, Harding had three hits, including a home run, three RBI and scored twice. Jennings and Laimo notched two hits apiece. Diaz and Laimo each drove in three while Jennings had two RBI. Jennings, Martin, Grigsby, Glisson, Rodriguez and Melendez each scored twice.
On the mound,
Brady Dunlop had four strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
Luke Norman tossed 2.1 frames while
CJ Lincoln had three strikeouts while throwing the final two innings.
The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they travel to Newberry for a game starting at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
