FLORENCE, SC – Seventh-ranked Francis Marion University mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, but came up one run short in a 5-4 loss to Belmont Abbey College, Sunday evening (Feb. 3) in the final game of the Carolinas Hospital System Baseball Classic.

The Patriots (1-2) will play host to Newberry College on Wednesday at 3 p.m. on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium.

Junior shortstop Michael Wilson was 3-for-5 for the Patriots with an RBI, while senior third baseman Stephen Tarkenton was 2-for-4. 

Trailing 5-1 entering the last of the ninth, Belmont Abbey reliever Emilio Pagan retired the first two batters, but then issued a pair of walks.  Junior outfielder Isaac Davenport followed with a run-scoring single to left before junior first baseman David DeWolfe singled through the right side to bring Francis Marion to within 5-3.

Junior outfielder Dalton Gress brought the Patriots to within one run with an RBI single to left center and placed runners on first and third.  However, Pagan recovered to retire Wilson for the final out and strand the tying run just 90 feet away.

FMU senior Don Sandifer (0-1) suffered the loss as he allowed four runs, only two of which were earned, on six hits in five innings.  He fanned six and walked two.

Trailing 4-0, Francis Marion plated its first run in the sixth inning when Wilson's two-out single to left center sent Davenport across the dish.

Belmont Abbey starter Nate Cudney picked up the win.  Crusader left fielder Anthony Dimino was 4-for-5 with an RBI, a double, and a run scored.