Pacers split doubleheader with Mountain Lions
Mar. 25—After dealing with a schedule change Saturday morning that resulted in an evening doubleheader, the No. 18 USC Aiken baseball team split two games with Young Harris.
The Mountain Lions won the first game 12-3 to clinch the weekend series before the Pacers walked it off with a win in the nightcap 4-3.
In the first game, USCA (20-10, 12-3 Peach Belt Conference) scored twice in the bottom of the fourth inning to get within a run before Young Harris (21-10, 12-6) answered with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to put the game away.
Justin Byrd led the way in game one, going 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored. Jackson Hannon went 2-for-5, and Joseph Mozingo was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Jacob Fletcher (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season on the mound after allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings pitched. Louie Smith allowed three unearned runs in the top of the seventh, and AJ Deibel allowed four runs (two earned) over the final 2 1/3 innings.
The Pacers finished the weekend on a positive note with a victory in game two.
James Eckert went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, including the winner in the bottom of the ninth inning. He led off the home half of the inning with a double, then scored the game-winning run after back-to-back wild pitches.
Mozingo went 2-for-3 with two RBI to help the Pacers overcome a 3-0 deficit midway through the sixth inning.
Byrd (1-0) picked up the win on the mound after striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning. Kevin Cox got the start and allowed one run on two hits in five innings. Austin Sandifer allowed a pair of runs in the sixth, and Luke Parker and NCAA saves leader Dylan Wilhelm each pitched a scoreless inning to send it to the ninth with a tie score.
The Pacers return to action at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday when they take on Augusta at SRP Park.
