FLORENCE, SC – Senior designated hitter Taylor Norfleet lined a two-run homer over the right field fence in the sixth inning and Francis Marion University pitchers Don Sandifer and Brandon Forshee made that stand up as the sixth-ranked and top-seeded Patriots blanked eighth-ranked and fourth-seeded Mount Olive College, Saturday afternoon (May 15) at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Baseball Tournament.

The Patriots improve to 40-13 and advance to championship Sunday when they will play at 1 p.m. against ninth-ranked and third-seeded Georgia College & State University.  FMU will need to beat the Bobcats twice to earn the regional title and a trip to the College World Series.

Norfleet, the only hold-over from Francis Marion's 2006 squad that advanced to the College World Series, spanked an 0-1 pitch from Trojan southpaw Curtis Hudson 333 feet over the right field fence and up against the backstop of the FMU Softball Field.  Norfleet was the 2006 Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year.  This year's PBC Freshman of the Year, right-hander Don Sandifer, also played a major role in the victory.

A walk issued by Sandifer (7-1) to open the game drew a quick visit to the mound from FMU head coach Art Inabinet, but Sandifer settled down and tossed 6.2 scoreless frames, allowing only five hits.  He struck out eight and allowed only the one walk.

Forshee pitched the final 2.1 innings, allowing only one base runner, to earn his 13th save and tie the FMU single-season record held by Zach Farry.

FMU junior first baseman Preston Shuey had two of the Patriots' five hits, including a second-inning double.

The six Mount Olive hits were spread among six different players.

Hudson (6-2) was the tough-luck loser as he surrender only five hits, fanned three, and walked only one in a complete-game effort.

FMU blanked Mount Olive for the second time this season on Cormell Field.  The Trojans entered the tournament as the nation's top hitting and scoring squad.  This marks only second time in program history that Francis Marion has won 40 games in a season – the other being the 2006 campaign.

QUOTES:

FMU head coach Art Inabinet:  “It was a pitchers' duel.  Anyone could have won it; we were fortunate to get a home run.  We played good defense. 

Taylor (Norfleet) is a senior and knows how to hit.  We had a good feeling that this was a nice match-up for him today.  He has some power and he will run into it sometimes.

Don (Sandifer) had problems locating his ball in the bullpen before the game.  (About his trip to the mound one batter into the contest) I asked Don if he could throw strikes and he said 'yes', and he did the rest of the game.”

FMU senior designated hitter Taylor Norfleet:  (asked about his long journey of five years at FMU from a starter for two years to a role player the past two seasons) “I have been here a long time and am happy as long as we win.  Losing a starting position is part of baseball.  I have been seeing the ball really well lately and went to the plate looking for something straight to run in to.”

FMU freshman pitcher Don Sandifer:  (asked about his game-opening walk) “It was a little bit of nerves.  I always start a little shaky and then settle down.  I just try and keep batters off balance.”

MOC head coach Carl Lancaster:  “Hudson pitched a great game for us, just missed on that one pitch. You don't expect to get beat by a guy who's had only 36 at-bats, but this time of year, you never know who's going to have the big hit.

I'm as proud of this group as any team I've had.

This might be the toughest regional in the country.”

MOC senior Airlon Vinson:  “I had told the guys in 2008 I wanted them to get me a championship ring. I was hoping I could contribute to the team getting a ring this year. It's not the way I wanted to finish, but it's been a great season.”

MOC senior Jesse Lancaster:  (Playing college ball for his father was a dream come true for Lancaster, who was a three-time All-Conference Carolinas selection and MVP of this year's Conference Carolinas Tournament, but Lancaster admits it's still too soon to put his career in perspective.)   “It's all a blur for me right now.  As time passes, I'll be able to focus more on what the team has accomplished. But I can say it's been a lot of fun every minute.”

      Taylor Norfleet