YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Josh Rudnik's game-winning two-run homer to left field highlighted a five-run ninth inning as Young Harris College rallied for a 7-6 Peach Belt Conference baseball victory over No. 12 University of South Carolina Aiken Saturday (March 15) afternoon at Zell B. Miller Field.

The Mountain Lions won their first PBC series of the season as they improved to 12-14 overall and to 3-9 in the Peach Belt while the Pacers fell to 17-7 and 7-5. Young Harris returns action Tuesday (March 18) when they travel to Brevard, N.C., for a 3 p.m. contest against Brevard College.

Young Harris trailed 6-2 entering the bottom of the ninth inning. Adam Moore, who went 2-for-3 and drove in the Mountain Lions' run in the seventh, started the rally with a one-out single through the left side. Pinch hitter Dom Wyshinski followed with a single to right before Trey Rogers, who went 2-for-2, followed with a RBI single down the right-field line.  A wild pitch from reliever Cole Lee (0-2) moved runners into scoring position and David Atwood drove both home with a two-out single down the right-field line to pull the Mountain Lions within a run at 6-5.

Rudnik, who was 2-for-5, gave Young Harris the series victory when he deposited Lee's 1-0 offering over the left field fence for a two-run homer, his third of the season.  His homer also earned himself (1-0) the win as he pitched the final two innings for the Mountain Lions.

Young Harris, which finished with eight hits, had only recorded three hits through the first eight innings, but had stranded 13 runners as the Mountain Lions couldn't take advantage of the 10 walks the Pacer pitching staff issued.

Tyler Moore had three hits for the Pacers while Matt Bosse and Sean Miller each had two. Miller led USC Aiken with three RBI and Ty Barkell knocked in two more. Taylor Peed recorded eight strikeouts in relief for USC Aiken, while starter Cody Beck had six strikeouts in six innings for the Mountain Lions.