FLORENCE, SC – Junior catcher Steve Hazel hit a game-tying home run in game one and then tied a Peach Belt Conference single-game record in the second contest as 21st-ranked Georgia College swept a baseball doubleheader from Francis Marion University on Saturday afternoon (March 15), winning 5-3 and 15-10.

Despite outhitting the Bobcats 27-22 on the day, Francis Marion falls to 11-12 overall and 3-9 in the PBC.  Three of the first four PBC opponents FMU has played have been nationally ranked.

Francis Marion will return to Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. for a Youth Baseball Night contest against Clarion University.  All youth players wearing their team jerseys will be admitted free.

In the opener, Francis Marion rallied from a 1-0 deficit to take a 3-1 advantage. Senior designated hitter Dalton Gress stroked a two-run single to center in the bottom of the third and sophomore second baseman Cole Morris poked an RBI-single up the middle in the fourth frame to give FMU the lead.

FMU junior right-hander Jordy Santak (3-3) carried a 3-2 lead and a two-hitter into the seventh inning, but allowed Hazel's long ball over the left centerfield fence and then a double to Mike McGraw. Patriot closer Jeffrey Stoner then relieved Santak.  Two wild pitches sandwiched around a strikeout allowed McGraw to score the go-ahead run.

The conference-leading Bobcats (18-4, 10-2) added an insurance tally in the ninth.  FMU stranded eight runners in scoring position, including one each in the eighth and ninth frames.

Santak struck out five and walked three in his six innings.

Senior shortstop Michael Wilson led FMU at the plate with three hits, including two doubles.  Senior left fielder Marquis Curry was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

Junior righty Josh Pape (1-0), the second of four Bobcat hurlers, collected the win and senior righty Jordan Modine earned his first save of 2014.

In the second game, Georgia College scored 13 runs over the first four innings, including an eight-run fourth, to take a 13-3 lead. FMU scratched back with four unanswered runs to climb within 13-7 after six innings.

The Bobcats plated two insurance runs in the seventh, before Francis Marion registered three tallies in the last of the ninth.

Senior center fielder Isaac Davenport led FMU with a 3-for-5 game that included two runs scored, a double, and an RBI. Six other Patriots recorded two hits: junior right fielder Zac Lenns, junior third baseman Brett Fulmer, freshman catcher Devin Walker, Curry, Morris, and Wilson. FMU tallied a season-high equaling 18 hits in game two. Wilson had two doubles and drove in three runs, while Lenns and Fulmer both posted two RBIs.

Patriot freshman starter Gordon Owens (1-1) took the loss.

Hazel was 2-for-3 at the plate, but also tied a PBC-contest mark by being hit by a pitch three times.  First baseman Clay Ardeeser was 4-for-6 with three runs scored and two runs batted in.

Bobcat reliever Micah Thompson (2-1) was credited with the win.

#21 Georgia College 5, Francis Marion Univ. 3 (Mar 15, 2014 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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Georgia College.....    001 001 201  -  5  6  0      (17-4, 9-2 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 002 100 000  -  3  9  2      (11-11, 3-8 PBC)
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Pitchers: Georgia College - Justin Blue; Josh Pape(4); Jordan Brooks(8); Jordan Modine(9) and
Steve Hazel. Francis Marion Univ. - Jordy Santak; Jeffrey Stoner(7) and Nicholas McGee.
Win-Josh Pape(1-0)  Save-Jordan Modine(1)  Loss-Jordy Santak(3-3)  T-2:46  A-513
HR GC - Steve Hazel (4).
Weather: Mostly sunny, 69, W at 15 mph
Santak faced 2 batters in the 7th.

#21 Georgia College 15, Francis Marion Univ. 10 (Mar 15, 2014 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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Georgia College.....   311 800 200  - 15 16  2      (18-4, 10-2 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 012 211 003  - 10 18  2      (11-12, 3-9 PBC)
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Pitchers: Georgia College - Josh Taylor; Kyle Ward(5); Micah Thompson(7); Jordan Modine(9) and
Steve Hazel. Francis Marion Univ. - Gordon Owens; Cody Dix(1); Austin Cox(3); Brian Davis(4);
Randy Morgart(6); Justin Turbeville(9) and Devin Walker.
Win-Micah Thompson(2-1)  Loss-Gordon Owens(1-1)  T-3:37 
Weather: 75, Clouds & Sun, WSW 17 mph