Pacers Complete Series Sweep Of GSW

Pacers Complete Series Sweep Of GSW

AMERICUS - USC Aiken scored seven runs over the first two innings on Sunday afternoon and cruised to a 12-1 victory over Georgia Southwestern in the schools' Peach Belt Conference series finale at Hurricane Stadium.

USCA turned in a 15-hit performance to improve to 14-6 overall and 7-5 in the PBC. The Hurricanes fell to 5-14 and 1-11 in conference play.

USCA scored three runs in the first inning before delivering the knockout blow in the second. Kody Belcher started the two-out, four-run barrage with a RBI single. T.J. Costen followed with a RBI double to score Belcher, who had stolen second. Ty Barkell finished off the frame with a two-run home run.

The Hurricanes scored a run in the third inning with a Paul Sorrow sacrifice fly. Brett Burgess and Zach Barron hit back-to-back singles prior Sorrow's at bat.

USCA answered with two runs in the fourth inning and three more in the seventh. 

GSW did not have a multi-hit player in game.

The Pacers enjoyed plenty of production from the top of their lineup as the first four batters accounted for 11 hits. Belcher, Barkell and Sean Miller had three hits apiece. Barkell was a triple away from hitting for the cycle as he finished 3-for-6 with a double, home run and four RBIs. 

GSW used four pitchers in the ballgame. Starter Cody Graham (0-1) lasted two innings before he was relieved by Dylan Brown. Freshman Michael Ranieri followed Kyle Spinks to close out the game. Ranieri threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, scattered three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out three.

USCA starter Trevor Hutto (5-0) went five innings before Connor Norton, Ben Black, Erik Davis and James Lynch each threw a scoreless inning of relief to close out the afternoon.

The Hurricanes travel to Valdosta State on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. non-conference game.