FLORENCE, SC – Junior third baseman Antonio Pino's third-inning RBI single got Francis Marion University on the board but it wouldn't be enough for the Patriots as 13th-ranked USC Aiken evened this weekend's series with a 3-1 victory, Saturday afternoon (March 12) in Peach Belt Conference baseball action.

The Patriots (15-7, 3-5) will wrap-up their three-game series with the Pacers on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

USCA (17-6, 10-4) received seven strong innings from junior right-hander Nick Yobbi (4-0) as he allowed just one run on six hits. He struck out four Patriot batters and walked one. Junior righty Nick Jobst earned his fourth save of the season, tossing one inning. Jobst allowed two hits, while striking out a pair.

FMU senior right-hander Brandon Cook (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season after working four innings. Cook gave up only one earned run, but a pair of runs for USCA in the top of the fourth inning would be the difference. He scattered four hits, striking out two batters and walking two. Senior southpaw Daniel Barfield tossed a season-high five innings of relief for the Patriots. He allowed four hits, while keeping the Pacers off of the scoreboard.

FMU sophomore shortstop Brooks Kennedy extended his hitting streak to 10 games with his 1-for-4 effort in the lead-off spot. Senior second baseman Cole Morris led the Patriot offense with a 2-for-4 day at the dish. Pino finished 1-for-3 with the Patriots' lone RBI.

Junior catcher Charles Padilla finished 3-for-4 at the plate for the Pacers.

The Pacers would strike first for a second consecutive game, this time in the top of the second inning. Junior center fielder Mitchell Price provided the run with a sacrifice fly to deep right field, scoring junior right fielder Zach Moon. Moon started the inning by reaching on a throwing error.

The Patriots would scratch across a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning, tying the game 1-1. Senior center fielder Shuler Ward started the inning by dropping down a bunt and beating out the throw from the third baseman. Two batters later, Kennedy delivered a single to left field, advancing Ward to second base. Pino's single through the left side would trickle into left field and allow Ward to score.

USCA broke the tie in the top of the fourth inning with a pair of runs against Cook. The inning would be highlighted by an RBI single from Price giving the Pacers a 2-1 lead. One batter later and following a passed ball, an RBI groundout from junior third baseman Jonathan Banks would score a run to make it 3-1. Cook would escape any further damage by striking out a batter to end the frame.

The ninth inning would see the Patriots get the potential tying runners on base against Pacers junior righty Nick Jobst. Freshman right fielder Cole Hinnant welcomed Jobst into the game with a double down the left field line. Morris followed with an infield single, moving Hinnant over to third base. Jobst retired the next three batters in a row to earn the save and close-out the game.