AIKEN, S.C. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (0-1) got the 2026 regular season underway Friday, coming up short on the road at the University of South Carolina Aiken (4-0) in non-conference play. The Wasps took a 7-5 late, but the Pacers surged back with five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the win by a 10-7 final margin.

The Basics
FINAL SCORE – USC Aiken 10, Emory & Henry 7
LOCATION – Aiken, South Carolina
VENUE – Roberto Hernandez Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (0-1, 0-0 SAC); USC Aiken (4-0, 0-0 PBC)

How It Happened
The Pacers opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI triple from Blake Martin to make it 1-0 through one. The Wasps would break through in the top of the third inning. Sophomore shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) drilled a one-out single and moved up to third on a single by junior outfielder Jadden Rodriguez (Thomasville, N.C.) Junior designated hitter Kyle Fields (Lynchburg, Va.) came up with a two-RBI triple of his own to center to push E&H in front 2-1. Junior first baseman J.D. James (China Grove, N.C.) followed with a sacrifice fly and the Wasps held a 3-1 advantage. Aiken responded in the home half of the inning with four runs on five hits and a pair of errors to leapfrog back into the lead at 5-3.

Both teams were kept off of the scoreboard in the fourth, but the visitors from Emory struck again in the top of the fifth. Rodriguez reached on an error and advanced all the way to third on another throwing error by the USCA third baseman. Fields delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to just one. Fields moved up to second on a wild pitch and third on a groundout to set the stage for senior third baseman Drew Park (Mooresville, N.C.). Park came through with an RBI base knock and the game was all level at 5-5. 

Emory & Henry took its second lead of the contest in the top of the seventh when Rodriguez led off with a single and came around to score on a two-run shot by Fields to put the Wasps on top 7-5. The lead was short-lived however as the Pacers answered back in the home half of the seventh with five more runs on three hits to reclaim a 10-7 advantage. The Wasps were held hitless over the final two innings as the Pacers claimed the 10-7 victory. 

Myles Chabi picked up the win on the hill for Aiken as he went three scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out three batters. Junior righty Ivan Delp (Sparta, N.C.) took the loss for E&H after surrendering four runs, all earned, on two hits and a trio of walks. Fields led the offense with five RBIs while going 3-for-5 at the plate, coming up just a double short of hitting for the cycle. Rodriguez scored three runs and collected a pair of hits while Hoppes and Park had the other two knocks for the Wasps. Chancellor Jennings and Martin each finished with three hits and a pair of runs driven in for the Pacers. 

Up Next
Emory & Henry continues the weekend series on Saturday with another showdown with the Pacers. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from Roberto Hernandez Stadium. 

--E&H--