AIKEN, S.C. – USC Aiken (4-1) used a 12-hit attack to record a 7-5 win over Shepherd University (0-4) in baseball action at USC Aiken on Friday.

Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Sophomore outfielder Jared Carr (Martinsburg, W.Va./St. James School) reached on an error and later scored on a double off the bat of junior third baseman Dalton Stewart (Sharpsburg, Md./Boonsboro/UMBC). Stewart later scored on a ground out by junior shortstop Trenton Burgreen (Winchester, Va./Millbrook).

The Pacers scored a run in the second and another in the third to tie the game.

USC Aiken took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on an RBI-single from Alex Mills.

Shepherd plated a pair of runs in the sixth to take a 4-3 advantage. Junior catcher Christian Hamel (Pasadena, Md./IMG Academy) led off with a walk and later scored on a passed ball. The Rams added another run when junior outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) singled home Stewart, who had reached on a walk.

The Pacers scored two runs in the bottom of the frame on a solo homer from Luke Leisenring and an RBI-single from Sean McQuillan.

After USC Aiken added a run in the seventh, Shepherd scored in the eighth when Burgreen reached on a hit-by-pitch and later scored on an error.

The Pacers took a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth behind as Philip Wachter drove in a run on a sacrifice bunt.

Doyle led the Rams with a pair of hits, including a double.

Leisenring went 4-for-4 with three runs scored to lead the Pacers.

Jon Yarbrough (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K, 1 BB) (1-0) earned the win with Henry Cartrett (1.1 IP, 0 R, 3 K, 1 BB) gaining the save. Senior starter Ryan Potts (Owings, Md./Northern) (5.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 2 K, 3 BB) (0-2) took the loss for the Rams.

The two teams return to action on Saturday at USC Aiken for a noon contest.