AIKEN, S.C. – USC Aiken (5-0) recorded a 7-3 win over Shepherd University (1-4) in baseball action at Roberto Hernandez Stadium on Saturday.

USC Aiken took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with a solo homer by Luke Leisenring keying the rally.

Shepherd cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the fifth. Sophomore outfielder Brennan Holmes (Ona, W.Va./Cabell Midland) led off with a walk and later scored on a ground out by junior outfielder Jared Carr (Martinsburg, W.Va./St. James School).

The Pacers took a 7-1 lead with five runs in the sixth. Jeff Cyr, Sean McQuillan, Jackson Hannon, Eric McGirt, and Leisenring each had RBI-singles.

The Rams added a pair of runs in the eighth. Carr led off with a homer. Senior outfielder Dalton Stewart (Sharpsburg, Md./Boonsboro/UMBC) followed with a double and scored on a single off the bat of junior third baseman Joey Goldsmith (Vienna, Va./James Madison, Pitt CC).

Stewart and senior shortstop Trenton Burgreen (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) each had a pair of hits to pace the Rams.

Leo Horacio and Leisenring each went 2-for-3 to lead USC Aiken.

Pacer reliever Austin Hohm. (1-0) (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 K 0 BB) gained the win. Senior pitcher Mitchell Wilson (Hagerstown, Md./St. James School/UMBC) (5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 6 K, 3 BB) (1-1) took the loss for the Rams.

The two teams return to action on Sunday for a 1 p.m. contest.