Box Score GREENWOOD, SC – Francis Marion University got solo home runs from seniors Marquis Curry and Michael Wilson, but fourth-ranked Lander University erupted for 16 hits en route to a 12-3 Peach Belt Conference baseball win on Saturday afternoon (March 8).
Connor Lewis and Colby Painter each homered and Dylan Wolchik (4-0) pitched into the eighth inning to lead the Bearcats (18-2, 8-2). The Patriots fell to 9-8, 2-5.
The teams will finish their three-game series on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Dolny Stadium.
FMU senior right-hander Spencer Jordan (1-3) took the loss as he allowed five earned runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings. Brandon Stoots and Ben Keane each allowed three runs out of the Patriot bullpen.
Both Wilson and Curry were 2-for-4 at the plate.
Lander took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, added a single run in the second, and then scored three times in the third to take a commanding 6-0 advantage. A diving catch at shortstop prevented FMU from scoring in the top of the third after Cole Morris had been hit by a pitch and stole second.
Curry put Francis Marion on the board in the top of the fifth with his second home run of the season, a blast that easily cleared the fence in right center. Wilson's first homer of the season, also to right center, pulled the Patriots to within 6-2 in the sixth.
Patriot senior infielder Luke Tollison walked and scored on an error in the ninth for FMU's final run.
#4 Lander 12, Francis Marion 3 (Mar 08, 2014 at Greenwood, S.C.)
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Francis Marion...... 000 011 001 - 3 7 1 (9-8, 2-5 PBC)
Lander.............. 213 001 23X - 12 16 1 (18-2, 8-2 PBC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Spencer Jordan; Brandon Stoots(3); Ben Keane(8) and Nicholas McGee;
Devin Walker. Lander - Wolchik; Walker(8) and Hyatt.
Win-Wolchik(4-0) Loss-Spencer Jordan(1-3) T-2:35 A-150
HR FMU - Michael Wilson (1); Marquis Curry (2).
HR LANDER - Lewis (6); Painter (3).
Weather: sunny, warm
