FLORENCE, S.C. (February 23, 2014) – The Francis Marion University baseball was hit with an offensive flurry from #17 USC Aiken, and dropped two contests Sunday on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium. The Pacers took the first game 10-8, and won the second game 6-2.

            The Patriots will hit the road for the first time in 2014 on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to Monroe, N.C., to face Wingate University. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.

            In the first game, the Patriots were led by junior Zac Lenns who recorded two hits on three trips to the plate, with a run batted in. Senior first baseman David DeWolfe was 2-for-5 at the plate with a two-RBI double.

            The Pacers' Ben Black (2-0) earned the win on the mound after throwing four and two thirds innings in relief, with eight strikeouts and three earned runs. FMU's Chris

Harrison (1-1) took the loss with three earned runs on four hits in two and two thirds innings out of the bullpen.

            After USC Aiken struck for three runs in the top of the first inning, the Patriots answered with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Senior Isaac Davenport scored on a throwing error by Pacers' first baseman Ty Barkell. Sophomore Cole Morris also scored on a wild pitch, before Lenns scored DeWolfe on an RBI single.

            USCA re-took the lead at 5-3 after its half of the fifth inning. However, FMU once again fought back and tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom half of the frame. Morris bunted junior Brett Fulmer and Davenport into scoring position after they reached on a walk and an error. They would both later score on a RBI single by DeWolfe.  

            The Pacers would answer the Patriots rally with five unanswered runs, and held a 10-5 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. After FMU put a run on the board in its half of the eighth, pinch hitter Dalton Gress pulled the Patriots within three runs of the lead on an RBI that scored Davenport from first base. Gress would later score on a throwing error by the Aiken right fielder, but freshman Devin Walker struck out to end the game.

            The Pacers put up six runs in the top of the third inning, which proved to be enough, as they earned a series sweep with the third-game victory. USCA starter Taylor Peed (2-0) earned the win on the mound with two strikeouts in six innings of work. Patriot starter Spencer Jordan (1-1) took the loss after giving up six runs on seven hits and a walk in just two and a third innings on the mound.

            The Pacers scored their six runs on five hits and an error. TJ Costen, Ben Donath and Charlie Padilla all registered RBI singles in the inning.

            The Patriots broke into the scoring column with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Senior Marquis Curry and Lenns each singled to begin the inning, and senior Michael Wilson loaded the bases on a walk. Curry and Lenns both scored on an error by Pacer shortstop Sean Miller.

            The Patriots put the tying run in the on deck circle with runners on the corners, but couldn't push the run across as DeWolfe ended the game on a strikeout.

            Lenns tallied two more hits in the second game, and drew a walk. Curry was 1-for-3 at the plate, and DeWolfe was 1-for-4.