GREENWOOD, S.C. – The third-seeded USCA baseball team lost a 12-7 decision to sixth-seeded Columbus State in the opening game of the PBC Tournament Friday afternoon.
The Pacers are now 35-16 on the season while the Cougars improve to 28-20.
Head coach
Keith Gorman's squad trailed 4-0 entering the bottom of the second inning. With one down,
Salvatore Laimo blasted a double down the right field line on a 1-1 pitch. However, back-to-back groundouts ended the inning.
The Cougars plated two runs in the third for a 6-0 advantage.
Osmin Melendez recorded a one-out double in the third, but two straight outs completed the frame.
The designated visitors scored four runs in the fifth for a 10-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth,
Evan Harding tallied an infield single.
Chancellor Jennings drew a four-pitch walk, putting two on with just one away.
Blake Martin crushed a three-run home run over the right center field wall with two down, making it 10-3.
Down 12-3 in the seventh,
Maverick Grigsby was hit by a pitch and hustled to second on a wild pitch. After a walk to
Ryan Becker, a fielder's choice by
Joshua Johnson erased Becker while putting runners on first and third. Grigsby scored on a single by Melendez.
Facing a 12-4 deficit in the ninth, Johnson rocketed the first pitch of the inning into right center field. Melendez drew a walk and Harding posted a base hit to left field, loading the bases. Jennings was hit by a pitch, pushing Johnson home.
Zack Chavis entered as a pinch hitter but grounded into a double play. Melendez scored though, making it 12-6. Martin's double drove in Harding.
For the game, Harding, Martin and Melendez had two hits apiece while Johnson and Laimo each had one hit. Martin drove in four – on a home run and a double. Harding scored twice.
On the mound,
Joseph Rauscher got the start and tossed four innings. He had a pair of strikeouts.
Ron Robinson entered and threw a frame.
Will Eichler tossed 1.2 innings while
Dylan Dickert threw the final 2.1 innings. Dickert did not allow a run and had a strikeout.
The Pacers return to action tomorrow at approximately 4:30 p.m. The team will square off against either No. 2 Lander or No. 7 Georgia College. Live stats and video (pay-per-view) will be available at PacerSports.com.
