USC Aiken Evens Series At 1-1

AIKEN, SC - USC Aiken (1-1) capitalized on four Railsplitter errors to plate nine unearned runs in posting a 10-3 win over Lincoln Memorial (1-1) on Saturday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.  

The 22nd ranked Pacers helped their cause with eight hits keyed by triples off the bats of Zach Cooper and Ben Tankersley.  

The Pacers got on the board in the first courtesy of two free passes and a passed ball.  LMU promptly pushed across two in the top of the second to jump in front 2-1.  Mickey Apple had a sacrifice fly to right while Bryon Izzo scored on a wild pitch.  

Still trailing 2-1 in the fourth, the Pacers erupted for five runs on three hits and two errors to lead 6-2.  Cooper led things off with a triple to right center.  Casey Jacobsen slapped a two-out single down the left field line to drive in two while Ken Raborn singled through the left side to cap the inning.  

Cooper finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored while Jacobsen was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.  

Leading 7-3 in the eighth, Tankersley smoked a two-out triple just inside the right field line, clearing the bases and blowing the game open 10-3.  

Scott Wandless worked 4.1 innings allowing three earned runs on two hits and six walks, striking out three in the no-decision.  Adam Lovelace (1-0) came on to toss 1.1 ininngs of scoreless relief, scattering three hits and one walk in the win.  Mark Yarbrough and Gary Lee combined for another 3.1 innings of near perfect relief.  

Zach Gray (0-1) was chased after 5.1 innings surrendering six runs, but only one earned, on four hits and seven walks, striking out four in the loss.  

USC Aiken and Lincoln Memorial will play the rubber game of their weekend series on Sunday at 1:00 PM at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.