FLORENCE, S.C. – Junior center fielder Casey Clauss rapped a two-run single to highlight a four-run fifth inning, all runs coming with two outs, as Francis Marion University rallied for a 5-4 win over 14th-ranked Armstrong State University, Saturday afternoon (Feb. 21) in the Patriots' Peach Belt Conference baseball opener.

Francis Marion ups its overall mark to 7-3, while Armstrong State falls to 9-2 overall and 3-1 in the Peach Belt.  The two squads will conclude their Homecoming weekend series with a doubleheader on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium.  Admission is free.

FMU managed only five hits, but the Patriots made the most of them with three coming in the decisive fifth frame.

The Pirates scored three times on four hits (three of which were for extra bases) in the top of the third to take an early lead. Armstrong State starter Corey Kafka (2-1) faced the minimum through 4.2 innings.  After fanning the first two Patriot batters in the last of the fifth, Kafka walked senior catcher Nicholas McGee and senior right field Zac Lenns.

Junior designated hitter Ryan Miller followed with an RBI single and sophomore shortstop Zach Callahan walked to load the bases.  Clauss stroked an 0-1 pitch for a single that plated two runs to knot the game at 3-3.  Junior third baseman Randy Loew followed with a run-scoring single to put FMU on top 4-3.

Lenns denied the Pirates a chance to tie the game in the top of the sixth when he threw out a runner at home trying to score.

Francis Marion added a needed insurance run in the sixth as senior first baseman Conner Wessel singled to right field and advanced to second on a fielding error on the play.  He went to third on an infield error on Matt Rubino's grounder and then scored on a sacrifice fly by McGee.

Armstrong State pulled to within 5-4 with a single tally in the seventh as center fielder Will Austin registered his second hit of the game.  He advanced to second on a throwing error, stole third base, and then came home on a wild pitch.

FMU junior left-hander Matt Kelley (2-1) earned the win with seven innings of work. He allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits, while fanning seven and not issuing any walks.  Junior righty Ty Simpson pitched the final two frames for his first save.  He stranded the tying run on third in the ninth.

In addition to Austin, Armstrong State's Kendrick Thompson and Jerad Curry both had two hits.

Kafka surrendered five runs (four earned) on five hits in 5.1 innings.  Caleb Woods pitched the final 2.2 innings and allowed only one base runner.

FMU has won its last six meetings with the Pirates.

Francis Marion Univ. 5, #14 Armstrong State Univ 4 (Feb 21, 2015 at Florence, SC)
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Armstrong State Univ  003 000 100  -  4 10  3      (9-2, 3-1 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ.    000 041 00X  -  5  5  3      (7-3, 1-0 PBC)
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Pitchers: Armstrong State Univ - Corey Kafka; Caleb Woods(6) and Jerad Curry.
Francis Marion Univ. - Matt Kelley; Ty Simpson(8) and Nicholas McGee.
Win-Matt Kelley(2-1)  Save-Ty Simpson(1)  Loss-Corey Kafka(2-1)  T-2:45  A-491
Weather: Mostly Clear 50 degrees