GAFFNEY, SC – Despite knocking three home runs, Francis Marion University fell victim to a three-run homer by Limestone College first baseman Cooper Gunter in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Saints defeated the Patriots 12-9, Wednesday afternoon (March 20) in non-conference baseball action.

 The Patriots (12-10) will play host to Columbus State University for a three-game Peach Belt Conference series this weekend, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Limestone (16-10) is coached by former Patriot outfielder and Francis Marion graduate Anthony "Chico" Lombardo.

FMU registered seven extra-base hits, while Limestone pounded out eight.  Senior center fielder Jarrod Reed (3-for-5) and senior third baseman Stephen Tarkenton (3-for-4) paced the Patriots at the plate.  Both junior shortstop Stephen Johnson and junior right fielder Isaac Davenport added two hits apiece. 

Tarkenton, Johnson, and senior catcher Will Chandler all homered.  For Chandler it was his seventh of the season and fifth in the past five games.

Senior first baseman Rhodes Dickerson went hitless in five at bats to end his career-best 14-game hitting streak.

Limestone took a 5-1 lead after five frames against FMU starter Brandon Stoots.  However, the Patriots rallied for six runs over the next two innings to take a 7-6 advantage.  Chandler drilled a two-run homer in the sixth and Johnson laced a two-run double to left center in a four-run seventh.

After surrendering their lead, the Saints responded with four runs of their own in the last of the seventh, including Gunter's long ball.

The Saints added two runs in the eighth before FMU got back-to-back solo home runs from Tarkenton and Johnson to lead off the ninth.

Limestone reliever Josh Cesario (2-0) earned the win, while Kaleb Shelley recorded his third save.

Francis Marion sophomore right-hander Justin Turbeville (0-1) took the loss after surrendering five runs (three earned) on six hits in 1.2 innings out of the bullpen.