Box score

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. − No. 10 (Collegiate Baseball Division II Top 30) USC Aiken used a four-run eighth inning to defeat Flagler College 7-3 in a Peach Belt Conference East Division baseball game Saturday afternoon at Flagler Stadium.

USC Aiken salvaged the rubber game in the series and improved to 24-12 overall and 12-6 in the Peach Belt. Flagler fell to 20-15 overall and 8-7 in conference play.

With the score tied at three apiece, Alex Franklin led off the eighth inning for the Pacers with a double to the left-center field gap. Matt Key dropped down a bunt and beat the throw, and two batters later, Josh Miller hit a grounder to third base, but Franklin started towards home and made it back to the bag and everyone was safe. Bill Rice singled in the first run to give USCA a 4-3 lead. Travis Howard added a sacrifice fly where all three runners advanced. With two down, Nick Aranas hit a fly ball to shallow right field where Jarrod Simmons (Jacksonville, Fla./Central Florida CC) dropped the ball allowing both runners to score.

The Pacers held an early 3-0 lead after an RBI double by Howard and an RBI single by Gary Asbill, both with two outs. USCA scored its third run with the aid of a Flagler throwing error by pitcher Jonathan Armold (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Pine Crest School).

The Saints were able to tie the game up in the home half of the inning. The first two runs came with the aid of an error and a fielder's choice. Will Percy (Colorado Springs, Colo./St. Mary's HS) singled home the tying run.

Reliever Tyler Stephan (4-1) earned the win after tossing one and one-third innings. He struck out one of the four batters he faced. Clayton Knight started and went six and two-thirds innings and allowed six hits and three runs. He struck out six.

Rice went 3-for-4 with a run batted in to lead the Pacers. Key singled twice and scored a run.

Armold (3-1) went seven and two-thirds innings, surrendered 11 hits and four earned runs.

Ollie Bertrand (Sainte-Adèle, Quebec/Monroe CC) singled twice for the Saints.

Flagler hosts Rollins College on Apr. 6 at 7 p.m. at Flagler Stadium.

NOTE: Prior to the start of the game former Flagler director of golf, Jay Jennison, was honored as the recipient of the 18th annual Red Cox Award for service to the community and Flagler College.


USC Aiken 7, Flagler 3 (04/03/10 at St. Augustine, FL)
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USC Aiken........... 003 000 040 - 7 12 2 (24-12, 12-6 PBC)
Flagler............. 003 000 000 - 3 6 4 (20-15, 8-7 PBC)
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Battery: USC Aiken - Clayton Knight; Tyler Stephan(7); Chad Benefield(9) and Gary Asbill; Kyle Rice. Flagler - Jonathan Armold; Heath Storey(8); Tyler McKendree(8) and Payne Maddox.
Win-Tyler Stephan(4-1) Loss-Jonathan Armold(3-1) T-2:44 A-313
2B USCA – Stephen Carmon; Travis Howard; Alex Franklin.
Weather: 76; ptly, cldy.; w:14 mph in
Storey faced 2 batters in the 8th.