AMERICUS, GA – Francis Marion University came into Saturday's Peach Belt Conference twinbill hitting only .238 as a team, but the Patriots rapped out 31 hits and scored 23 runs in sweeping Georgia Southwestern State University 8-4 and 15-2.

Francis Marion improves to 7-5 overall and 3-2 in the PBC, while GSW drops to 5-11 and 2-5.  The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. with junior right-hander Jeffrey Stoner (1-0) taking the mound for the Patriots.

In Saturday's opener, FMU scored three times in the second inning and never relinquished the lead.  Senior righty Gary Ashcraft (2-1) allowed only three runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings, while striking out four.  Freshman John Rossi and junior Brandon Stoots combined to finish the game.

Junior designated hitter David DeWolfe led FMU with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate with three runs scored and one run batted in.  Junior second baseman Jacob Watson was 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs, while junior shortstop Michael Wilson was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and junior left fielder Dalton Gress was 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

Run-scoring singles by Gress and Watson and a sacrifice fly by Wilson provided the Patriots with their three second-inning runs.  After the Hurricanes crept to within 4-2, FMU plated three runs in the top of the sixth to go up 7-2.  The rally included a run-scoring single by DeWolfe, an RBI-double by Wilson, and pinch-runner Casey Gephardt scored on a passed ball.

GSW starter Frank Ambrosino (0-3) allowed seven runs on 11 hits in six frames.  Third baseman Josh Sanders led the Hurricanes at the plate with three hits, a run scored, and one driven in.

In the nightcap, senior catcher Will Chandler was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a grand slam home run.  The left side of the Patriot infield accounted for six hits as both Wilson and senior third baseman Stephen Tarkenton were both 3-for-5 with two runs scored.  Tarkenton drove in three runs and Wilson plated one.

Gebhardt was also 3-for-5 with a double, three runs scored, and one RBI, while designated hitter Jacob Golliday was 2-for-6 with a double, homer, and two RBIs.

Senior righty Don Sandifer (2-2) earned the win as he limited GSW to two runs on four hits in seven innings.  He fanned six and walked only two en route to his 21st career victory.  Sophomore Justin Turbeville pitched two scoreless and hitless innings.

FMU broke up a scoreless pitchers' duel with eight runs on seven hits in the top of the seventh inning.  After the Hurricanes answered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, FMU responded with five runs in the top of the eighth – highlighted by Chandler's grand slam to right center field.

The long balls by Golliday and Chandler were Francis Marion's first home runs of the 2013 season.

Right fielder Corey Benson accounted for the Hurricanes' two runs with a homer down the left field line.  Matthew Suggs (2-2) was tagged with the loss despite striking out eight in 6.2 innings and getting no run support while he was on the mound.