Flagler Takes Two from 10th-Ranked Pacers On Friday
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – In a battle of Peach Belt Conference East rivals, Flagler was able to secure the first two games of a three-game series with a doubleheader sweep of the 10th-ranked Pacers at Flagler Stadium on Friday.
The Saints picked up a 9-1 win in the first game before obtaining a 9-3 victory over the nationally-ranked Pacers in the nightcap.
The two losses on Friday drop the 10th-ranked Pacers to 23-12 on the year. The Pacers are now 11-6 in Peach Belt Conference action in 2010. Flagler improves to 20-14 overall, including 8-6 in the PBC, with the two wins over the Pacers on Friday.
The Pacers were never really in game one with the Saints holding a 9-0 lead entering the top of the ninth inning. Nick Aranas (Lexington, S.C./Lexington) acquired the lone run for the Pacers in their 9-1 game one loss by singling through the right side in the top of the ninth inning to score Alex Franklin (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta).
Aranas was one of three Pacers to record two hits in the game with Stephen Carmon (Camden, S.C./Camden) and Bill Rice (Sewell, N.J./Gloucester County College) both also notching two hits in the first game of the twinbill. Gary Asbill (Batesburg, S.C./Batesburg-Leesville) was the only other Pacer to secure a hit in the contest.
Flagler in total doubled up the Pacers in total hits in game one at 14-7.
USC Aiken starting pitcher Steven Owens (Sykesville, Md./Richmond) suffered his first loss in seven outings in game one to fall to 5-2 on the season. Owens struck out five, but he allowed 12 hits and eight runs (seven earned) in his seven innings on the mound.
Johnny Gaines pitched a complete game to acquire the win for the Saints. Gaines scattered seven hits and allowed one run in his nine innings of work.
Zach Bove was the top performer for Flagler at the dish in game one, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Flagler was able to open the second game by taking a 3-0 lead through the first two innings. The Pacers would pull to within one at 3-2 over the next two innings.
USC Aiken manufactured its inaugural run of the second game in the top of the third inning. The inning began with JJ Loker (Elkton, Va./Spotswood) hitting an infield single. Shortly thereafter, Josh Miller (Chapin, S.C./Chapin) hit a bunt single to arrive on base. Carmon then captured a bunt single of his own to move over Miller to third. Franklin next grounded into a double play, but it was enough to bring in Loker for the Pacers’ first run of the contest.
The next inning, Loker picked up the second run of the game for USC Aiken when he singled up the middle to score David Vitko (Columbiana, Ohio/Youngstown State).
The Saints would pull ahead by four over the next two innings to hold a 6-2 lead entering the final three innings of the second game.
The Pacers would scratch one more across in the top of the eighth inning to cut the Flagler lead to three at 6-3. Pinch-hitting for Matt Key (New Ellenton, S.C./Silver Bluff), Asbill collected the run for the Pacers by singling in Aranas.
Flagler would not let the Pacers any closer, scoring three more in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn the eventual six-run victory.
USC Aiken concluded the game out-hitting Flagler 12-11. Three Pacers finished with two hits in the game with Carmon, Loker and Miller all obtaining two hits in the game two loss.
Dagmar Pena was the top star for the Saints at the plate in game two. Pena went 4-for-5 with four RBIs.
Thomas McLeod (Chapin, S.C/Chapin) garnered the loss on the hill for the Pacers in game two. He dealt 6.2 innings, allowing nine hits and six runs (five earned). He struck out two and walked six. McLeod is now 3-4 on the year.
Tim Lappin improved to 2-2 on the season with his win on the mound for the Saints. Lappin pitched the first seven innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and eight hits.
The three-game series will conclude tomorrow (Saturday, April 3) with a single game at 2 p.m.
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