FLORENCE, SC – Despite only managing two hits, Francis Marion University held a one-run lead heading to the seventh inning, but Pfeiffer University rallied for a 3-2 win over the Patriots, Sunday evening (Feb. 1) in the final game of the 10th-annual Carolinas Hospital System Classic, co-sponsored by the Florence Area Sports Council.

FMU (1-2) will host King University (Tenn.) in the Pepsi Cola Pop-Off Series next weekend, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.

Senior right-hander Jordy Santak was sharp in his first start of 2015 for the Patriots.  He allowed only one run on four hits with 11 strikeouts in five innings.  Junior right-hander Ryan Manore (0-1) was tagged with the loss.

Francis Marion managed only two baserunners over the first five innings: walks by junior outfielder Casey Clauss in the third and fifth frames.

Pfeiffer took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Cody McKenzie in the fifth.  The Patriots answered with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth.  With two outs, junior shortstop Randy Loew singled to right centerfield.  He then stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch.  Junior third baseman JD Crowe walked and senior first baseman Conner Wessel followed with a 2-run double down the left field line.

The Falcons scored the decisive two runs in the last of the seventh (FMU was the designated visiting team despite playing on its home field). John Elwood laced an RBI double and Cole McGraw recorded a two-out run-scoring single down the right field line.

Pfeiffer starter Keith Little and four relievers combined on the two-hitter, while striking out 12 Patriots.  Hunter Jobe (1-0) got the win, while Kyle Hackney earned his first save with a scoreless ninth.  Following Wessel's double, the final 10 FMU batters were retired in order.