Seven-Spot Two-Out Rally in Sixth Inning Earns Pacers Series Win Over FMU

FLORENCE, S.C. - The 21st-ranked USC Aiken baseball team picked up its third consecutive series victory with a 7-3 victory over second-ranked Francis Marion on Sunday afternoon at Cormell Field.
 
The Pacers took two of three from the Patriots. USC Aiken earned a 10-5 win in game one before FMU garnered a 12-3 win in the second game of the series. The Pacers' victory in the rubber game on Sunday improved the Pacers to 11-7 overall in the 2010 season. The defending Peach Belt Conference champions are now 5-1 in the PBC.
 
USC Aiken has now won eight of its last nine games overall.
 
Francis Marion's series loss dips the Patriots to 13-4 overall, including 1-2 in the PBC.
 
USC Aiken concluded the battle of top 25 PBC powers with nine total hits.

Alex Franklin (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta) and Nick Aranas (Lexington, S.C./Lexington) were the top producers at the dish for the Pacers with both securing two hits in the Pacer victory. 
 
Pacer pitcher Thomas McLeod (Chapin, S.C./Chapin) acquired the win on the hill for the Pacers in the contest. McLeod dealt seven innings, striking out three.
 
Patrick Mincey suffered the loss for Francis Marion. Mincey pitched the first 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and four runs (none of which were earned).
 
USC Aiken was actually down for the majority of the contest at 2-0, but things changed dramatically in the top of the sixth with the Pacers posting a seven-spot. All seven of the Pacer runs came with two outs.
 
The surging Pacers have five contests inside the friendly confines of Roberto Hernandez Stadium this week, beginning with a 6 p.m. contest against Urbana on Tuesday, March 9.