PEMBROKE, NC- Francis Marion University senior first baseman Rhodes Dickerson hit his first home run of the season, but FMU fell to 11th-ranked University of North Carolina at Pembroke in the rubber match 7-2 on Sunday afternoon (April 7).

FMU, which is now 18-15 overall and 11-9 in the Peach Belt Conference, will now return to Florence to play a one game series against non-conference opponent Wingate Unversity on Tuesday April 9 at 6 p.m.

Senior right-hander Gary Ashcraft got the start Sunday but did not have a smooth outing as he went five and a third innings allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out two.

UNCP struck early when a Jordan Edgerton sacrifice fly to center drove in a run to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. The Patriot offense evened it up in the second inning, with Dickerson's solo home run to left center. That hit extended the senior's hitting streak to 11 games and he has hit safely in 25 of of his last 26 games.

The big inning for the Braves came in the sixth inning when they scored four runs on five hits.

The Patriot bullpen was strong in relief as Daniel Barfield and Justin Turbeville combined for 2.2 innings allowing one run on three hits.

UNCP starter Dale Innes (5-1) had a strong start as he went seven innings allowing one run on five hits and striking out seven Patriots.

Sophomore second baseman Brett Fulmer and junior right fielder Isaac Davenport collected two hits apiece, while senior third baseman Stephen Tarkenton and junior shortstop Michael Wilson got a base hit.

#11 UNC Pembroke 7, Francis Marion 2 (Apr  7, 2013 at Pembroke, N.C.)
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Francis Marion......     010 000 010  -  2  8  2      (18-15, 11-9 PBC)
UNC Pembroke........ 100 014 10X  -  7 12  0      (28-10, 16-8 PBC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Gary Ashcraft; Daniel Barfield(6); Justin Turbeville(8) and
Cole Morris. UNC Pembroke - Innes; McMahon(8) and Whitehead.
Win-Innes(5-1)  Loss-Gary Ashcraft(4-4)  T-2:28  A-257
HR FMU - Rhodes Dickerson (1).
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 66 Degrees