Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs trailed fifth-ranked USC Aiken 8-0 in the second inning, but rallied back to get within two before the Pacers ultimately prevailed 12-8 in NCAA Division II baseball action at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Filed. USC Aiken improves to 4-0 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 1-3 on the season.

Conner Durden had a homer and three RBI to lead the USC Aiken attack, while Daulton Weeks and Jonathan Banks each added a homer and two RBI for the Pacers. Zach Moon also homered, while Jose Bonilla went three-for-five with two runs scored.

Sophomore catcher Andrew Llewellyn (Moseley, Va.) had a double and a career-high five RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Junior first baseman Bradley Brown (Rockingham, N.C.) added three hits including a homer, scoring three times while redshirt freshman outfielder Joseph Mason (Morehead City, N.C.) contributed a triple, RBI and run scored. Sophomore infielder Reece Daniel (Asheboro, N.C.) collected a pair of hits and a run scored for the Bulldogs.

USC Aiken jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first. Durden provided the big blow of the frame, a three-run shot to right. Weeks followed with a solo shot to give the Pacers a six-run cushion. Banks added a two-run double in the second inning to make it 8-0.

Wingate got singles from Brown and Austin Turgeon (Athens, Ga.), along with a walk to load the bases in the bottom of the second. Llewellyn cleared the bases with a three-run double to right center to make it 8-3.

Weeks reached with a one-out double in the third, then scored on an error to give USC Aiken a six-run advantage. Wingate countered with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Singles from Brown and Colby Barnette (Monroe, N.C.), along with a walk loaded the bases once again for Llewellyn, who came through with a two-run single to make it 9-5.

Moon gave USC Aiken a 10-5 lead with a solo shot in the fourth. Brown answered in the fifth, connecting on his second homer of the season, a solo shot to right to make it 10-6.

The Bulldogs got within two in the sixth. Daniel led off the frame with a single, then scored on Mason's RBI triple to left center. Zach Little (Troutman, N.C.) plated Mason with an RBI groundout to make it 10-8.

USC Aiken added some insurance in the top of the ninth, starting with Moon's solo homer down the leftfield line to start the frame. Weeks added an RBI single to make the final margin 12-8.

Christian Aragon got the win for USC Aiken, improving to 1-0. He allowed three runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings, striking out three. Joseph Benitez pitched the seventh and eighth innings for the Pacers, striking out four without allowing a run. Freshman left-hander Riley Isenhour (Kernersville, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 0-1. He allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning, striking out one. Senior right-hander Cameron Price (Indian Trail, N.C.) tossed four shutout innings in relief, striking out three while allowing just two hits.

The Bulldogs are back in action Saturday, traveling to Valdosta State to open a three-game series with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.