Pacers Unable to Hold Off Late Charge by Indians in Battle of Top 25 Teams
AIKEN, S.C. – Two late two-run innings were not enough to help lift the nationally-ranked Pacers over the 25th-ranked Indians of region foe Catawba on Friday night at Roberto Hernandez Stadium. The Indians were able to squeeze out a slight, one-run win over the Pacers thanks to a solo home run by Zeb Link in the top of the ninth inning to knock off the 23rd-ranked Pacers 5-4.
With the loss, the Pacers fall to 31-17 overall on the season heading into Saturday’s regular season finale at the ‘Bert.
Catawba improves to 39-11 for the 2010 campaign.
Wade Moore led the attack for the Indians in the top of the fourth and sixth innings including a home run in the sixth to give Catawba the early 2-0 lead.
Ryan Bostian helped Moore extend the lead when he scored off a double in the top of the sixth inning to put the Indians up 3-0.
The Pacers raced back out in the bottom of the sixth inning with two runs of their own to keep the game close. Josh Attaway (Lexington, S.C./Lexington) led the Pacer charge when he scored off a strike up the middle by fellow Lexington High School product Nick Aranas (Lexington, S.C./Lexington).
With the bases loaded, Josh Miller (Chapin, S.C./Chapin) found the plate off a shot to the second baseman by J.J. Loker (Elkton, Va./Spotswood) to bring USC Aiken within one.
The Pacers were able to keep the bats hot in the bottom of the seventh inning as USC Aiken secured two runs to take their first lead of the contest.
Stephen Carmon (Camden, S.C./Camden) tied the game up at three-a-piece when he scored off a hit to left field by Aranas, earning Aranas his second RBI of the game.
A balk by the Indian hurler brought Miller home once more and gave the Pacers the one-run lead at 4-3.
The Indians did not go quietly into the night as Wil Huneycutt tied it up for Catawba from first base off a double by Garrett Furr in the top of the eighth inning.
Zeb Link gave Catawba the final run they needed to secure the win with a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning.
The Pacers were able to out-hit the Indians 11-10 with three Pacers securing multiple hit outings at the plate. Miller led all batters for the evening going a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored. Aranas and Travis Howard (Bonneau, S.C./USC Salkehatchie) both were 2-for-5 on the evening with Aranas securing two RBIs.
Link led Catawba at the plate going 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored while Craige Lyerly and Furr were both 2-for-4.
Steven Owens (Sykesville, Md./Richmond) suffered the loss as the closer on the hill for USC Aiken in two full innings of work. He falls to 6-4 on the season.
Huneycutt secured the win for Catawba on the mound improving to 5-1 for the 2010 season.
USC Aiken will close the curtains on their regular season on Saturday, May 1 with the second game against Catawba. The game is slated to begin promptly at 4 p.m. and will serve as the Pacers’ Senior Day.
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