AIKEN, S.C. - USC Aiken (2-5) played a very impressive Carson-Newman team tough Friday afternoon at J.H. Satcher Field, including a 10-inning marathon in the opener, but the visiting Eagles (7-1) earned the sweep in a hard-fought non-conference softball doubleheader. The Lady Pacers dropped game one 6-5 before losing 3-1 in the nightcap.

In the opener, Carson-Newman scored once in the first, fourth, and sixth innings to build a 3-0 lead. Sara Little drilled a solo shot to right field in the fourth and singled in a run in the sixth. Eagles starter Stephanie Templeton cruised through the first six innings, allowing just a fourth inning double and a sixth inning single to senior Amber Driggers.

The Lady Pacers finally mounted a rally against Templeton in the bottom of the seventh. Freshmen Jennifer Day and Candice Hardee led off the frame with a single and a double respectively. After Templeton retired Brittany Schweitzer for the first out, sophomore Kendra Baker drilled the first pitch she saw over the wall in right field to tie the game. Sheena Blackwell doubled with two outs, but was stranded and the game went to extra innings.

The Eagles mounted a two-out rally in the eighth to again take the lead. After a walk and a single, Jessie Kuhlman plated a pair of runs with a double to center field.

Heim relieved Templeton to begin the bottom of the inning, and USCA went on the attack once again in an attempt to at least extend the game. Jessica Strickland and Megan Lakes began the inning with back-to-back singles. After two strikeouts, the runners moved to second and third on what proved to be a key wild pitch. Heim then induced Schweitzer to hit a ground ball to third, but the throw got past the first baseman and allowed the tying runs to score.

With the USC Aiken starter Lakes still on the mound, Emily Hutchins took a pitch the other way and over the wall for what proved to be a game-winning solo home run.

In hopes of starting one more Lady Pacer rally, Day led off the tenth with a sharp single up the middle and moved to second on a wild pitch. Day unfortunately stayed right there as Heim got Hardee to ground out before striking out Schweitzer and Baker to end the marathon game.

Heim (3-1) earned the win in relief, allowing two unearned runs on four hits in three innings while striking out six. Carson-Newman pitching combined for 14 strikeouts in the game. Lakes (1-2) took the loss despite firing a complete game. The junior hurled 151 pitches in her 10.0 innings of work, allowing six runs, five earned, on 13 hits while striking out a pair.

Little was 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the Eagles while Strickland, Driggers, and Day had two hits for the Lady Pacers. Baker collected all three runs batted in for USCA.

In the nightcap, Heim (4-1) was spectacular in earning her second victory of the day. This time in a starter's role, Heim threw seven complete innings, allowing just one unearned run on three hits while walking two and striking out 13. For the day, the pitcher picked up a pair of victories, throwing ten innings, allowing three unearned runs seven hits while striking out 19 batters.

In the first, the Eagles plated an unearned run against USC Aiken starter Kristen Cochran (0-2). Jessie Howard drew a leadoff walk before advancing to third on a two-base throwing error on Strickland. Howard then easily scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Whitney Hickam.

The Lady Pacers tied the game quickly with an unearned run of their own. Strickland ripped a two-out double deep in the gap in right center. After a stolen base and a Lakes walk put runners on the corners, Howard misplayed a hard hit ball off Jennifer Day's bat, allowing Strickland to score.

The game stayed tied until the third when Mandy Stevens and Little blasted solo shots off Cochran for the game's final margin. Heim was especially dominant with the lead this time, striking out 10 Lady Pacers over the final four innings.

Strickland, Lakes, and Baker picked up the only hits for USCA in game two. Little finished the day 4-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI for the Eagles.

Head coach Jerry Snyder and the Lady Pacers will be back at it Saturday, hosting North Greenville for a doubleheader with game one starting at 1:00 PM.