WILSON, N.C. -- The USC Aiken softball team split a pair of games at Barton on Sunday, falling 3-2 in the opener before winning 14-6 in the nightcap.
The Pacers are now 2-2 on the season.
Head coach Jaclin Poole's team fell behind 1-0 after the first inning. In the third frame, USCA registered a base hit when Peri Rouillard recorded an infield single with two down. However, a pop-up ended the stanza.
Kate Newberry belted a one-out single up the middle in the fourth, but she was left stranded. In the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs tacked on two runs for a 3-0 edge.
Poole's team had a chance to break through in the sixth. With one down, Lydia Johnson laid down a bunt single and moved to second on Mallory Shaver's base hit up the middle. However, a double play ended the threat.
The Pacers broke through in the seventh. Tara McGee reached on a fielder's choice, erasing Cameron Greene. Autumn Fisher recorded her first career home run, sending an offering over the left field wall to make it 3-2. The team was unable to push across the tying run.
For the game, Fisher led the way with her round tripper and two RBI. She and McGee each crossed home plate.
In the circle, Payton Baker went the distance and gave up three runs on six hits. Baker had six strikeouts.
Game two saw Barton take a 1-0 lead in the first, but Poole's team took control in the third inning. With one away, Rouillard singled to center field before moving to second on a base hit by Lydia Johnson. A walk to Shaver loaded the bags for Newberry, who recorded an infield single to tie the game.
Fisher blasted a grand slam, giving the team a 5-1 advantage. Anna Turner continued the offensive onslaught, recording a base hit to center field. McGee drew a walk and everyone moved up a base when Alexis Stout was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Rouillard tripled to left field, clearing the bags while giving the visitors an 8-1 advantage.
Barton answered with four runs in the bottom of the third, making it 8-5.
The score remained the same until Shaver rocketed an offering over the left center field wall in the sixth, pushing the lead to 9-5. Moments later, Stout hammered a pitch to left field, driving in Fisher and Turner for a six-run advantage.
The bats stayed hot in the seventh Rouillard singled to second base and moved to second on Johnson's bunt single. Two batters later, Newberry roped an offering to center field, knocking in Rouillard. Fisher followed suit, recording a base hit to left field that scored Johnson. After Turner was hit by a pitch to load the bases, McGee reached on a fielder's choice to make it 14-5.
For the game, Fisher had four hits, including a home run and two doubles, while driving in five and scoring twice. Rouillard had three hits, including a triple, three RBI and crossed home twice. Newberry tallied three hits, two RBI and scored twice. Johnson and Shaver each had two hits and both scored twice. Stout drove in two and Turner crossed home plate twice.
In the circle, Ally Fleming got the start and worked 2.2 innings. Baker came in and tossed the final 4.1 innings for the victory. She struck out four while giving up just one run on five hits.
The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they play at Newberry. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m.