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FLORENCE, SC- Francis Marion University used a balanced hitting attack as nine different Patriots registered hits in a 10-0 shutout of California University of Pennsylvania, Wednesday afternoon (March 14) in non-conference baseball action at Cormell Field.
The 22nd-ranked Patriots (17-9) pounded out 11 total hits on the afternoon, highlighted by a two-run home run from sophomore Michael Wilson, his first round-tripper of the year and second of his career. FMU has won five in a row, and seven of its last eight.
Five FMU pitchers combined to blank the Vulcans (9-8) with junior right-hander Gary Ashcraft (3-0) picking up the win. Ashcraft worked five innings, scattered four hits, and struck out two. Senior Jarrott Hooks worked the final two innings to seal the win for FMU, sitting down all six hitters he faced in order. Seniors Dyson Coker and Jeremy Knab along with freshman Tyler Smith logged innings in relief as well.
GJ Senchak (0-2) took the loss for California (Pa.) as he worked five innings and surrendered six hits and four earned runs.
The Patriots got the scoring started in the second inning when senior designated hitter Will Chandler came around to score on junior catcher Jacob Golliday's groundout. Junior first baseman Luke Tollison then doubled the margin with a single to centerfield that brought around senior outfielder John Jones.
FMU added onto the lead with a pair of tallies in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to Wilson's long ball to right center. A four-spot in the sixth that was highlighted by RBI singles from seniors Brian Paulhus and Tyler Boyd increased the margin to 8-0.
Francis Marion rounded out the scoring in the bottom of the eighth when senior pinch-hitter Austin Smetana singled down the left field line scoring senior second baseman Brock McCallister and Boyd.
Paulhus and senior center fielder Buddy Sosnoskie paced the Patriot bats with each going 2-for-3 on the sun-drenched afternoon.
Francis Marion returns to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday when it welcomes Georgia College for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
#22 Francis Marion Univ. 10, California (PA) 0 (Mar 14, 2012 at Florence, SC)
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California (PA)..... 000 000 00 - 0 5 4 (9-8)
Francis Marion Univ. 020 204 02 - 10 11 0 (17-9)
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Pitchers: California (PA) - GJ Senchak; Andre Jones (6); Ben Carson (6) and JB Sapienza.
Francis Marion Univ. - Gary Ashcraft; Dyson Coker (6); Jeremy Knab (6); Tyler Smith (7);
Jarrott Hooks (7) and Jacob Golliday.
Win-Gary Ashcraft (3-0) Loss-GJ Senchak (0-2) T-2:28 A-71
HR FMU - Michael Wilson (1).
Weather: Mostly sunny, 76 degrees
Smith faced 2 batters in the 7th.
