GREENWOOD – The No. 13-ranked USC Aiken softball team took advantage of 10 Lander errors Thursday afternoon and swept the Bearcats in their PBC-opening doubleheader, 6-2 and 6-2, in 30-degree temperatures at Doug Spears Field. (Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box)

USCA improves to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the PBC, while Lander moves to 7-9, 0-2.

In the first game, USCA’s Toni Flessati (3-1) earned the win as she struck out two, walked five and allowed two earned runs on four hits in five innings pitched.

Lander’s Shelbey Spencer (2-5) suffered the loss, striking out two, walking two and allowing five runs (one earned) on six hits in three innings pitched.

The Pacers, who scored two runs in the first inning, three in the third and one in the sixth, posted five unearned runs on four Lander errors.

The Bearcats scored both their runs in the fourth inning when Ashley Proctor’s groundout plated Casey Corbitt and Amanda Hamby scored on Brittney Sheriff’s sacrifice fly.

For Lander, Hamby went 2-for-3 with one run scored.

USCA’s Candice Hardee batted 1-for-1 with one double and one RBI, while Lauren Locklear was 2-for-4 with two runs and Flessate was 2-for-4.

In the second game, USCA scored five unearned runs on six Bearcat errors.

Lauren Rickabaugh (5-0) was awarded the win as she struck out six, and allowed one earned run on four hits in the complete seven innings.

Lander’s Hayley Leissner (4-3) took the loss, striking out two, walking one and allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits in four innings of work.

Aiken built up a 6-0 lead with two runs in the first inning, one in the second and three in the fifth.

The Bearcats scored both its runs in the seventh inning as Blair Hammonds scored on Corbitt’s sacrifice fly and Rachelle Adkins went home on a wild pitch.

Aiken’s Flessate batted 1-for-4 with one double and one RBI, while Whitney Clary went 2-for-3 and Locklear 2-for-4.

Sheriff, Hammonds, Adkins and Alyssa Hartley had hits for Lander.