FLORENCE, SC – Senior first baseman Preston Shuey eclipsed the Francis Marion University career runs batted in record in dramatic fashion with a walk-off grand-slam home run that carried the 24th-ranked Patriots to a 6-2 non-conference, come-from-behind win over Pfeiffer University, Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 23) in college baseball action.

Shuey's high drive just cleared the left field fence with no outs in the bottom of the ninth and gave the Charlotte native six RBIs on the afternoon.  Playing in his 169th career contest, Shuey now has 164 career RBIs bettering the old school mark of 162 set by catcher Jared Barkdoll from 2006 to 2009.

Francis Marion captured its sixth straight win to improve to 8-3, while Pfeiffer drops to 5-9.  The win also inches the Patriot program closer to the 1000-win plateau. In its 39th season, FMU has an all-time record of 995-628-3.

Junior right-hander Jarrott Hooks (1-0) picked with the win in relief with 4.1 scoreless innings.  The Marion native allowed only three hits, struck out two, and walked no one.  Senior righty Tyler Lehman started for FMU and allowed two runs on four hits in 4.2 innings.

Pfeiffer righty Bryan Tuttle (1-2) came on to start the ninth inning and was tagged with the loss.  Pfeiffer's Austin Campbell, making his first start of the year, limited the Patriots to two runs on 10 hits over the first eight frames.

Pfeiffer took a 2-0 advantage on a fourth-inning solo homer by designated hitter Eric Shoemaker and an RBI-single by right fielder Jacob Yates in the fifth frame.

Francis Marion cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the fifth.  Junior center fielder Buddy Sosnoskie singled through the right side with two outs, stole second base, and came home on a Shuey double to right center that a diving Yates had in his glove momentarily before it popped out as he hit the ground.

The Patriots tied the contest at 2-2 in the seventh as Shuey lofted a sacrifice fly to left center with the bases loaded to score pinch hitter Dalton Gress.

FMU freshman third baseman Michael Wilson continued his torrid hitting as he hit in his 11th straight game to start his career and posted a 3-for-4 afternoon.  Both Shuey and Sosnoskie were 2-for-3.

FMU loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth when Wilson walked, Brock McCallister reached on a fielding error as he attempted to sacrifice Wilson to second, and Sosnoskie reached on a bunt single.  Shuey then drilled a 1-0 pitch 335 feet to left field.

Shortstop Preston Lyon and center fielder Hunter Boehme were both 2-for-4 to lead Pfeiffer.

Francis Marion will host Seton Hill University for a three-game series this weekend, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. and concluding with a single contest on Sunday at noon.

#24 Francis Marion Univ. 6, Pfeiffer 2 (Feb 23, 2011 at Florence, SC)
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Pfeiffer............          000 110 000  -  2  7  1      (5-9)
Francis Marion Univ. 000 010 104  -  6 12  0      (8-3)
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Pitchers: Pfeiffer - Austin Campbell; Bryan Tuttle(9); John Sullivan(9) and Tyler Smith.
Francis Marion Univ. - Tyler Lehman; Jarrott Hooks(5) and Brian Paulhus; Jeff Gaston.
Win-Jarrott Hooks(1-0)  Loss-Bryan Tuttle(1-2)  T-2:08  A-85
HR PUBS - Eric Shoemaker (4).
HR FMU - Preston Shuey (3).
Weather: Clear, Sunny, 60 degrees
Tuttle faced 2 batters in the 9th.
Sullivan faced 2 batters in the 9th.

Walk-off grand slam by Preston Shuey (it also breaks career RBI record with 164)

      Preston Shuey