Warm weather brings Pacers' season-opener

The temperatures are no fluke. Spring is here - at least when it comes to USC Aiken athletics.

The Pacers baseball team will open up the 2012 season today with the first contest in a three-game series with Lincoln Memorial University at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.

USCA is coming off a 29-21 season that saw it miss out on an NCAA Regional appearance for the second year in a row. With a reworked lineup, head coach Kenny Thomas is looking to get back to the level of success he has experienced so many times in his 12 years at USCA.

Lincoln Memorial, a South Atlantic Conference school located in Harrogate, Tenn., was 29-22 last year.

Schedule

Game 1: Today, 4 p.m.

Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, 1 p.m.

All-time record

USCA leads the all-time series, which has become the traditional season opener for both teams in recent years, 22-13. The Railsplitters won the first game of the series last year, but the Pacers bounced back to win the final two games of the weekend series.

Key to the series

Speed - The USCA lineup is blessed with more speed than ever before, and they Pacers are likely to try to take advantage of it - especially since the college baseball game as changed since the institution of the new bats last season.

Stephen Carmon, Stephen Bellantoni, Bryce Baur and Branden Milhouse all have the ability to get on base by simply putting the ball in play and then create havoc once they get on. Look for the Pacers to put the pressure on the visitors by sending runners early and often.

Players to watch

USCA

Bill Gerstenslager - The Pacers' new first baseman has drawn a lot of hype and will have a chance to prove he's worthy this weekend. Last year at Mercyhurst College, the 6-foot-6, 240-pounder hit .312 with four home runs.

Nick Aranas - Back after missing the entire 2011 season with an injury, the redshirt-senior was a first team Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He'll be moving from third base to the outfield in an effort to get the most talented lineup on the field.

LMU

Cody Baker - The 5-foot-11, 160-pound junior outfielder hit .343 with a team-high 68 hits, including 10 doubles and a pair of triples. He will be in the leadoff spot for the Railsplitters.

Gelson Perez - An ABCA National Player to Watch, the senior hit .335 with 47 RBIs last season.

On the hill

The only thing set in stone at this point is that Derek Beasley will get the start today. The Harlem, Ga., native had a big freshman season last year, making 10 starts and compiling a 5-3 record with a 3.40 ERA.

A number of starters will see action throughout the series, likely including Thomas McLeod,Ryan Milewski, Wyatt Brown, Kelly Holt and Abe Cartledge.

"We're going to use a bunch of guys," said Thomas. "Nobody is going to go out and throw nine innings this weekend."

Junior right-hander Austin Johnson will likely start the opener for LMU. He was the Railsplitters' ace last year, putting up a 6-2 record and a 3.06 ERA. He struck out 47 batters and walked just 21 in 70 2/3 innings. Senior Andy Fennell finished 4-0 in SAC games last season.