News Summary

The University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) baseball team faced a challenging weekend, losing to North Georgia 13-8, and then suffered a charter bus fire while returning home. Fortunately, everyone on board was unharmed, but the fire resulted in significant equipment losses for the team. In response, the Aiken community has come together to support the Pacers, including a GoFundMe initiative for replacing lost gear. A portion of ticket sales from the upcoming game will also aid the baseball program, demonstrating the community’s commitment during tough times.

In Aiken, Community Bounces Back After USCA Baseball Team Faces Setback

Hey there, Aiken! We’ve got some mixed news to share regarding the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) baseball team. It seems like the Pacers had quite the rollercoaster weekend, finishing a tough game against the No. 14 North Georgia team, where they lost 13-8. With that loss under their belt, the team’s overall record now stands at 18-26, and they’re sitting at 8-15 in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play.

The Game Recap

The game had its moments of excitement, especially in the fourth inning when USCA was trailing 5-0. The Pacers showed some grit when Hunter Thompson was hit by a pitch with two outs. Following that, Jack Hobson came through with a single to left field, putting two runners on base. That’s when Kaden Usry stepped up and hit a double to right center field, scoring both Thompson and Hobson. The score moved to 5-2, and it felt like the Pacers could make a comeback!

A Shocking Turn of Events

But just when it seemed like the season was bouncing back, tragedy struck as the team was heading home. While traveling back from Georgia, their charter bus caught fire! Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the 38 people on board, which is a huge relief.

The fire ignited about 45 minutes into their 3.5-hour trip back to Aiken, around 7:45 to 8 p.m. Talk about a scary situation! Head coach Michael Holder was following the bus in a car and witnessed the whole distressing event unfold. Thankfully, everyone was evacuated safely and promptly, thanks to the bus driver’s quick action.

A Heartbreaking Loss

Sadly, the team ended up losing a significant amount of equipment in the fire, including uniforms, catcher’s gear, and around 12-15 gloves. That’s a tough hit for any team, especially during a competitive season.

Community Comes Together

In true Aiken spirit, our community stepped up to support our Pacers in their time of need. A GoFundMe page has been created to help the team replace their lost equipment, although it’s important to note that this initiative isn’t officially affiliated with the university. If you’re looking to offer a helping hand, donations are also being accepted through a designated university contact number.

Mark your calendars for March 28! During the upcoming game against Augusta University, $1 from every ticket sold will go directly to support the USCA baseball program. It’s a fantastic way for everyone to show we care and help the team during this recovery period.

Onward and Upward

Despite the unfortunate fire, the team bounced back and even conducted a light practice the very next day. They are gearing up for their scheduled game against Erskine College. Coach Thomas recognized the professionalism of the bus driver and acknowledged the quick response from Greene County first responders, which played a crucial role in ensuring everyone was safe.

The Pacers managed to make it back to Aiken around 12:30 a.m. on Monday, all safe and sound after such a hair-raising experience. Now, it’s time for the team to rally together and focus on the games ahead while knowing that their community is right there with them. With enthusiasm and support pouring in, we can’t wait to see the Pacers back in action soon!

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