AIKEN, S.C. - No. 13 USC Aiken capitalized on early offensive opportunities to defeat Anderson, 10-6, in nonconference baseball action Thursday night at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.

USC Aiken improved to 17-5 and has won three of its last four outings, while Anderson dropped to 5-21 with its ninth consecutive setback.

Junior Paul Como was 2-for-4 on the night, with a home run and scored twice, while senior Erick Sanderson was also 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and drove in a run. Senior Tony Price had two hits and scored once.

Freshman left-hander Stephen McKnight (1-3) worked three innings for the Trojans and suffered the loss after surrendering seven earned runs on 10 hits, while walking two. Six additional hurlers saw action on the mound for AU and gave up three earned runs on nine hits over the remaining five innings.

USC Aiken starter Jake Padgett (1-0) tossed five shutout innings, while allowing a pair of hits and striking out five. The Trojans worked five Pacer relievers for six runs on five hits over the final four frames.

The Pacers garnered a 10-0 advantage with two runs in the first inning, three in the second and fourth innings and a pair of runs in the sixth. Anderson rallied for four runs in the seventh, sending 10 batters to the plate.

The Trojans added a solo run in the eighth on Como's first home run of the season and trimmed the deficit to four with an unearned run in the ninth.

The Trojans open a three-game South Atlantic Conference series at home with a 6 p.m. contest versus Mars Hill on Friday at Memorial Stadium.