MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Freshman right-hander Jeffrey Stoner pitched six shutout innings and freshman third baseman Michael Wilson blasted his first career home run, a three-run shot, as ninth-ranked and second-seeded Francis Marion University beat sixth-seeded Wingate University 6-1, Friday afternoon (May 20) in an elimination game at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Baseball Tournament.

Francis Marion improves to 38-15 and moves on to Saturday when the Patriots will play in an elimination game at 3 p.m. against Catawba College. Wingate, which was making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001, ends its season 34-22.

Senior first baseman Preston Shuey and junior catcher Brian Paulhus both led FMU with a 2-for-4 day that included one RBI apiece.

Stoner (9-0) blanked Wingate for six frames before allowing a solo home run to Casey Allison to lead off the seventh inning.  In his 6.2 innings of work, the Martinez, Ga., native allowed five hits while striking out two and walking three.  Senior righty Patrick Mincey pitched the final 2.1 innings to earn his fifth save of 2011.

The Patriots took advantage of two Bulldog miscues in the third inning to grab a 1-0 advantage. Paulhus reached on an infield single, moved to second on a errant pick-off attempt, and took third on a wild pitch. He then scored when Brock McCallister's ground ball went through the legs of the Wingate third baseman.

In the FMU fifth, John Jones walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.  Paulhus then reached on an error placing runners on first and third with one out. Wilson then drilled the next pitch from Wingate starter Justin Somers (7-4) over the right field fence – approximately 345 feet.

The Patriots added an insurance run in the seventh, to lead 6-0, when Wilson walked and eventually came around to score on an RBI single to left by Shuey.  That play pushed Shuey's team-leading RBI total to 64, two shy of the Patriot single-season record, while also extending his own career RBI record to 210.

After Allison lined his solo shot in the bottom of the seventh, FMU regained its five-run advantage with an unearned run in the top of the eighth.  Senior left fielder Martin Gordon singled, moved to third on a Bulldog error, and scored when Paulhus dropped an RBI single onto the right field line.

Mincey, in true closer form, made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth.  The Hartsville native allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases with no outs.  However, he retired the next three batters without allowing a Bulldog to cross home plate.  The final out being a strikeout of South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year Dodson McPherson, who saw his 16-game hitting streak come to an end.

"Our pitching was very good today," commented FMU head coach Art Inabinet.  "We did walk a few too many, but we were able to get away with that.

"I thought the biggest play in the game was when they (Wingate's Casey Allison) lined into the double play to end the fourth inning when the score was still 1-0. Then in the next half inning, we (Michael Wilson) ran into a pitch and the wind got behind it.  I am happy for Michael.  In fact, I chose the bat that he used for that trip to the plate (suggesting he use a lighter bat).

"We did not have good at bats yesterday, but after the 3-run homer I thought we had some good at bats.  Not all were productive, but we worked the count.  The homer certainly took some pressure off us."

Wilson added, "It felt great (hitting the 3-run homer).  When you go up trying to hit the ball hard, it seldom happens, but (assistant) coach (Robbie) Wilson had told me on that trip to the plate to try and make contact and take the ball up the middle.  I guess that's when home runs happen."

Stoner said of his start, "I didn't feel any pressure (as a freshman starting an elimination game).  It was just like any other day.  I was operating on regular rest, just like the regular season, and I got prepared and felt good on the mound."

"It felt great to get a win and stay alive," said Paulhus.  "We want to continue this tomorrow." When asked about his success in the regional from the No. 9 position in the batting line-up (on base six times in the two games), he said, "I am looking to have good at bats and good swings – not get cheated and take my hacks."

                              RHP  Jeffrey Stoner