AIKEN, S.C. – Flagler College used a pair of big innings, both in the eighth, to sweep a doubleheader at USC Aiken, 7-3 and 10-6, Saturday afternoon at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.
Flagler extended its winning streak to five and improved to 19-6 overall and 6-3 in the Peach Belt. USC Aiken fell to 13-13 overall and 5-4 in conference play. The Saints step out of conference play to face Edward Waters University on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Henry L. Aaron Field at James P. Small Memorial Park.
In game one, the score was tied at 3-all going into the top of the eighth inning.
George Gilson and
Jacob Reeves hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. A ground out cut Gilson down trying to go to third, but
Taylor Shultz followed by reaching on an error by the Pacer shortstop, and that allowed Reeves to score with the go-ahead run. A change of pitchers followed by an intentional walk loaded the bases.
Jesse Sullivan's single through the right side of the infield scored two more runs and the Saints took a 6-3 lead.
Kevin RisCassi hit an RBI-double in the ninth for insurance.
Cooper Smith (3-1) allowed two earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts to earn the win.
Keegan Leckband tossed two scoreless innings in relief to pick up his first save of the year. He fanned three batters.
Shultz paced the 17-hit Flagler attack as he went 2-for-6 with a home run, three runs batted in, and he scored two runs. Sullivan singled twice and knocked in two runs.
Eli Maddox collected two singles and scored a run.
Tripp Davis hit a pair of doubles and drove in a run. Gilson hit two singles while Reeves singled twice and scored two runs.
Bryce Fitzgerald went 2-for-3 with a double.
Flagler turned a triple play in the sixth inning.
Damien Ashley (3-1) took the loss in relief for USC Aiken. He allowed two earned runs on three hits in 1.2 innings.
Jack Hobson collected two singles with one RBI and he scored a run.
The Pacers led 6-3 going into the top of the eighth in the second game. The Saints sent 11 men to the plate and scored six runs on six hits.
Kyle McClanahan's single to right field knocked in one run and then an error by the right fielder allowed the tying run to score and McClanahan took second. Shultz followed with a single up the middle and McClanahan scored the go-ahead run (7-6).
Mason Gray and
Caden Kresak added RBI-singles later in the inning and the Saints held a 9-6 lead at the end of the top of the eighth.
Drew Rosenberg (3-0) benefitted from the outbreak in the eighth as he was working in relief. He tossed 3.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts to pick up the win.
Mason Gray collected two singles, scored a run, and he knocked in two more runs. Shultz went 2-for-5 with a double and he scored a run. Kresak singled twice, scored two runs, and had one RBI. Maddox collected two singles.
Ashley (3-2), who took the loss in the first game also took the loss in this game. He allowed three runs on three hits and did not retire a batter.
Josh Sharp went 4-for-5 with three doubles, three runs scored, and he drove in a run for USC Aiken. Tyler Casciato collected two singles and scored a run. Wyatt McPherson finished with a pair of single and three RBI.
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