Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – Fifth-ranked USC Aiken (7-0) recorded a 17-5 win over Shepherd University (1-5) in baseball action at USC-Aiken on Sunday.

The Pacers took a 3-0 lead in the second inning with a two-run double by Charles Padilla keying the rally.

USC-Aiken added six runs in the third with a two-run blast by Zach Moon and a three-run triple by Jose Bonilla highlighting the scoring attack.

The Rams got a pair of runs in the fourth as senior outfielder Ron Farley (Cockeysville, Md./Calvert Hall/Delaware Tech) singled before junior designated hitter Daniel Heleine (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville/WVU) followed with a two-run blast.

Padilla added a three-run double for the Pacers in the fourth to up their lead to 12-2.

The Rams added a run in the fifth as senior outfielder JJ Sarty (Purcellville, Va./Woodgrove/William& Mary) reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on an error.

Shepherd added two runs in the sixth as sophomore Brian McCourt (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown) reached on a hit-by-pitch and scored on a triple off the bat of sophomore Reid Entsminger (Stephens City, Va./Sherando/Lamar). Entsminger later scored on a single by sophomore infielder Eric Sloper (Catlett, Va./Patriot).

USC-Aiken plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Moon had a two-run homer and Daulton Mills added an RBI-triple to highlight the scoring.

The Pacers completed the scoring with a pair of runs in the eighth on two-run single by Alex Mills.

Sarty and Entsminger each had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.

Nile Goings went 3-for-4 to lead the Pacers.

Senior pitcher John Bentley (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) (1-1) (3.0 IP, 2 K, 3 BB, 7 H, 9 R, 5 ER) took the loss for the Rams. James Lynch (1-0) (5.0 IP, 4 K, 2 BB, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER) gained the win for the Pacers.

The Rams return to action on Feb. 24 when they travel to Dinwiddie, Va. to face West Chester for a 3 p.m. game.