FLORENCE, SC – Junior first baseman Ty Barkell blasted a three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning to break open a close game and enabled 17th-ranked USC Aiken to claim a 12-3 victory over Francis Marion University, Saturday afternoon (Feb. 22) in the Peach Belt Conference baseball opener for both squads.

FMU drops to 7-3 overall, while the Pacers improve to 8-2.  The two teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium.  Admission to Sunday's twinbill will be $8 for adults and $5 for students.  FMU students, faculty, and staff will be admitted free with identification and appropriate Swamp Fox Club passes will be honored.

Barkell also doubled and finished the day 2-for-4 with four runs batted in.

USCA built a 5-0 lead behind senior lefty starter Derek Beasley (3-0).  Beasley tossed 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and fanning four.  He has yet to allow an earned run this season in 23 innings.

Francis Marion trimmed the margin to two with three runs in the bottom of the seventh.  Junior second baseman Brett Fulmer plated Cole Morris with an RBI single and three batters later pinch hitter David DeWolfe delivered a two-run single to cut the deficit to 5-3.

However, the Pacers answered with four runs in the top of the eighth, including Barkell's homer, and added three insurance runs in the ninth inning.

FMU junior starter Jordy Santak (2-2) suffered the loss as he was touched for two runs on seven hits in four frames.  He struck out three and walked one. 

Morris and senior right fielder Michael Keels both picked up a pair of hits to lead FMU at the plate.  Senior center fielder Isaac Davenport was on base twice, including a fifth-inning single that extended his hitting streak to 13 games.

Patriot senior shortstop Michael Wilson was 0-for-4 and saw his hitting streak end at 14 games.

Right fielder Tyler Moore and catcher Ben Donath led the Pacers with three hits each.