FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University junior catcher Logan Koch delivered a run-scoring single in the bottom of the fourth inning, but it wouldn't be enough as the Patriots dropped a 2-1 decision to UNC Pembroke, Sunday afternoon (April 10) in Peach Belt Conference baseball action.

The Patriots (22-17, 10-11) find themselves in a four-way tie for sixth-place in the conference with Georgia College, Flagler, and UNCP (24-14, 10-11). FMU will host a single non-conference contest against Pfeiffer University on Tuesday (April 12) at 6 p.m. on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium.

UNCP struck for an early run against Patriot senior right-hander Brandon Cook (4-3). Sophomore center fielder Roberto Rivera started off the game with a double down the right field line. After a failed sacrifice-bunt attempt, Rivera would advance to third on an FMU error. Junior right fielder Nick Debo gave the Braves the 1-0 lead when he plated Rivera with an RBI groundout to first base.

The Patriots looked to counter offensively in the home portion of the first. Senior right fielder JD Crowe gave FMU a two-out baserunner with his single to left field and two pitches later would swipe second base. Crowe would be stranded there as UNCP southpaw Daniel Batts (3-0) worked around the two-out threat.

The Braves would up their lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth against Cook. UNCP led off the inning with a double down the left field line from shortstop Drew Beaver. The Patriots, however, would quickly erase Beaver from the base paths as he was caught in a run down between second and third on a pick-off throw. With the bases empty and one out, UNCP tallied a pair of back-to-back singles and later a walk to put runners on all three bases. Left fielder Nolan Pierce appeared to hit into an inning ending double play, but beat the throw at first, allowing the runner from third to score. Cook would get a strikeout to end the frame.

FMU would get a run back in the bottom-half of the inning against Batts. Crowe worked a lead-off walk, but one batter was eliminated on a fielder's choice at second base. A groundout would move senior center fielder Casey Clauss into scoring position for the Patriots. Koch found a 1-0 pitch to his liking and sent it past a diving shortstop into shallow center field allowing Clauss to score from second.

Cook would exit with FMU trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth. He walked the first batter of the inning, and then responded with a strikeout before the call to the bullpen was made. Sophomore righty Zac Burke allowed a single followed by a pair of fly outs to end any potential threat from UNCP.

The Patriots had two separate chances to try and knot the score late in the game. Both chances would come against UNCP right-handed reliever Kyle Ramsey. The eighth inning would see FMU pick up a pair of back-to-back one-out singles. Sophomore second baseman Brooks Kennedy delivered one of the hits for the Patriots and extended his streak of safely reaching bases to 27 games in the process. A fly out and fielder's choice would end the scoring threat.

After junior righty Zach Callahan worked a scoreless top of the ninth, FMU looked to put together a rally in front of the home crowd. Ramsey recorded the first two outs of the inning for UNCP before hitting Callahan and allowing him to reach base. Senior third baseman Cole Morris followed with a single that ricocheted off of second base, moving the tying run into scoring position. The rally would come up just short for the Patriots as pinch-hitter Zach Paquette grounded into a game-ending fielder's choice.

Cook surrendered just two runs (one earned) on six hits through 5.1 innings of work for FMU, while Batts pitched six innings, allowing only one run on three hits in the win for UNCP. Burke and Callahan each tossed a scoreless inning of relief for the Patriots, while senior southpaw Daniel Barfield fired 1.2 scoreless frames.  Ramsey recorded his second save of the season for UNCP in tossing the final three innings, fanning two batters and scattering three hits.

Junior shortstop Antonio Pino finished 2-for-4 at the plate for FMU, while Kennedy, Koch, Morris, and Crowe each had one hit apiece. Beaver finished the game 2-for-4 for UNCP and six Braves finished with one hit at the plate.