GREENWOOD, SC – Freshman outfielder Jackson Oliver hit a solo home run with one out in the top of the 10th inning to give second-seeded Columbus State University a 5-4 victory over sixth-seeded Francis Marion University, Friday morning (May 10) in an elimination bracket game at the 2013 Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament.

Francis Marion ends its season with a 28-20 record, while Columbus State (29-21) advanced on to play unbeaten (in tournament play) University of Montavello later on Friday at 5 p.m.

Oliver's blast over the right field wall was the only extra-base hit of the contest and ruined a splendid relief performance by FMU freshman southpaw Daniel Barfield (1-1).  Barfield, in his longest outing of the year, allowed only the one run, two hits, and one walk in six innings.  He fanned three.  He entered the contest with the Patriots trailing 4-3 in the fifth and held the Cougars scoreless until the tenth.

Francis Marion senior third baseman Stephen Tarkenton and junior right fielder Isaac Davenport led the Patriots at the plate with two hits apiece.  Tarkenton finished his FMU career with a nine-game hitting streak.  He also walked twice on Friday, stole three bases, scored once, and drove in the tying run in the seventh inning.

Junior shortstop Michael Wilson gave FMU an early 2-0 advantage with a two-out two-run single to right field in the bottom of the first inning.  The margin grew to 3-0 in the third when Davenport singled, went to second on the first of Tarkenton's walks, advanced to third on a fly out to right by senior designated hitter Will Chandler, and came home on a wild pitch.

Junior right-hander Brandon Stoots made his third start of the year for Francis Marion and held CSU scoreless over the first three innings.  However, the Cougars batted around in the fourth frame and scored four times to take a 4-3 lead.  An infield error on a potential double play grounder led to a pair of the runs being unearned.  The go-ahead run crossed the plate on a bases-loaded walk to Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year Cameron Scott.

Barfield then took the mound to open the fifth inning.

FMU knotted the score in the seventh.  Freshman catcher Cole Morris led off with a single up the middle.  After a failed sacrifice attempt that resulted in a foul-out and then a fly out, he stole second base with two outs.  Tarkenton followed with a clutch line-drive single to center that plated Morris.

Over Francis Marion's final three at bats, a pair of CSU relievers held the Patriots to only one base runner and he was erased on an attempted steal attempt.

Righty Cameron Griffin (2-1) picked up the win, while All-Conference closer Hart Mizell earned his ninth save.

A trio of Cougars – All-Conference outfielder Ryan Lewis, first baseman Martin Castro, and Oliver – had two hits in the contest.

With its season coming to a close, Francis Marion loses seven seniors off the 2013 roster.