ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Jake Brandenberger shut down a South Carolina-Aiken offense that had produced 18 runs on 31 hits in Saturday's doubleheader to help Flagler win the three-game series (2-1) with an 11-4 victory in a Peach Belt Conference game on Sunday afternoon at Drysdale Field.
Flagler improved to 10-6 overall and 4-5 in the Peach Belt. USC Aiken fell to 11-4 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
Brandenberger (3-0) was masterful as he tossed seven innings, allowed only four hits and two runs. He walked three batters and fanned 10. Brandenberger's only mistake came in the third inning when he gave up a two-run home run to Ty Barkell. After that, he retired the next 10 of 11 batters.
The Saints scored first with a run in the first inning. After falling behind in the third, Flagler answered right back when Jake Taylor hit his second RBI single in as many at bats to tie the score.
In the fourth, Andrew Brodbeck hit a bases loaded single that produced one run. Frankie Sagarese was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second base on the single to left.
The Saints erupted for five runs in the fifth inning. Matt Morningstar's two-run single was the key hit in the frame.
Flagler added two runs in the sixth and one more in the eighth.
The Saints pounded out 15 hits (37 in the series) with Brodbeck leading the way with three singles, a run scored and another driven in. Taylor went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and he scored a run. Skylar Fox went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and he knocked in a pair of runs. Nick Kranick and Sagarese each singled twice.
Nick Yobbi (0-1) took the loss on the mound for the Pacers. He tossed 4.1 innings and surrendered nine hits and seven runs. He walked four and struck out seven. USC Aiken used seven different pitchers.
Ryan Metzler collected two singles and scored a run for the Pacers.
