FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University surrendered four keys runs in the top of the eighth inning to 21st-ranked Georgia College and the Bobcats used that explosion to capture an 8-2 Peach Belt Conference win over the Patriots, Friday evening (March 14) in college baseball action.

Francis Marion drops to 11-10 overall and 3-7 in the PBC, while Georgia College improves to 16-4 and a conference-leading 8-2.

The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium. The two games will be streamed live online at http://www.ustream.tv/fmupatriots, and shown locally on Time Warner Cable channel 11, courtesy of the Patriot Sports Network.  Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students.

FMU sophomore right-hander Chance DuCharme (0-1) made his second career start and took the loss.  He allowed four runs – three earned – on six hits in 3.1 innings.  Senior righty Brandon Stoots relieved DuCharme and pitched effectively until he ran into trouble in the top of the eighth.

Georgia College took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when left fielder Ryan Sabalaskey stroked a two-out single to center field.  He moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI double to right by center fielder Rob Hogenkamp.

The margin increased to 4-0 in the fourth as the Bobcats scored three times, including a two-run double down the left field line by designated hitter Taylor Hinshaw.

FMU got on the board in the last of the fifth.  Senior first baseman David DeWolfe singled with one out, advanced to second on a groundout, and moved to third on a wild pitch.  He then scored on a two-out error by the Bobcats' first baseman.

The Patriots further trimmed the deficit to 4-2 in the seventh when senior third baseman Luke Tollison singled off the pitcher's glove and eventually scored on a two-out wild pitch.

However, the Bobcats sealed the win by scoring four times on five hits in the eighth.

Junior righty Spencer Thomas (2-0) earned the victory for Georgia College as he pitched seven innings and allowed only four hits and one earned run.  He fanned four and walked only one.

Francis Marion threatened early in the contest, leaving a runner in scoring position in each of the first two frames.

Right fielder Jake Sandlin led Georgia College at the plate with three hits, while three other Bobcats recorded two hits apiece.

The four FMU hits came off the bats of senior center fielder Isaac Davenport, senior shortstop Michael Wilson, Tollison, and DeWolfe.