DAHLONEGA, GA - A two-run top of the eighth inning and a 12-strikeout performance from senior left-handed starter Matt Kelley helped Francis Marion University to secure a 6-4 win against the University of North Georgia, Sunday afternoon (April 17) in Peach Belt Conference baseball action.

Francis Marion ups its record to 22-19 overall and 11-13 in the PBC, while North Georgia drops to 24-17 overall and 13-14 in conference.

The Patriots return home to host a non-conference tilt against Pfeiffer University on Tuesday night (April 19) at 6 p.m.

Sophomore second baseman Brooks Kennedy finished 2-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs batted in, while senior first baseman Randy Loew was the benefactor of three walks at the dish for FMU. Senior center fielder Shuler Ward drove in two runs for the Patriots, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate.

Kelley (5-4) turned in a gem for FMU, allowing just three runs on eight hits and one walk through 7.2 innings. Junior righty John McGinty took-over for Kelley with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and would work into the ninth frame. Senior southpaw Daniel Barfield would be called upon to get the final two outs of the contest for the Patriots, earning his second save of the season.

Francis Marion would get its offense going first on Sunday, plating a run in the top of the third inning against North Georgia's Chris Cobb. Kennedy connected on the first offering from Cobb and laced a single through the right-side, scoring sophomore designated hitter Zach Paquette to make it 1-0.

The Nighthawks would find their way onto the scoreboard in the home half of the fourth inning against Kelley and the Patriots. First baseman Trevor Sams delivered his second home run in as many days to knot the score 1-1.

The Patriots would take the lead for good in the top of the fifth inning. FMU would use the long-ball to jump in-front of the Nighthawks. With Paquette on base, Kennedy delivered a huge two-run home run to right-center field, making it 3-1. 

Ward followed suite for Francis Marion in the top of the seventh inning, his solo home run to left-center extended the lead to 4-1. Ward then capped-off a two-run top of the eighth inning with an infield RBI single, making it 6-1.

North Georgia would look to rally in the bottom of the eighth with Kelley still on the mound for FMU. Sam Tidaback plated the first of two runs in the frame for the Nighthawks with his RBI double into right-center, making it 6-2. Sams followed that up with a run-scoring groundout to the shortstop to cut the deficit to 6-3. McGinty would enter for the Patriots and help to prevent any further damage.

The bottom of the ninth would have a rough start for McGinty as he issued walks to two of the first three batters that he would face. The start prompted a call to the bullpen for Barfield. Although surrendering a run, that would be charged to McGinty, Barfield recorded the two outs needed to secure the win and the save for Francis Marion. 

Cobb (4-2) suffered the loss for North Georgia, allowing three runs on three hits over 5.1 innings. He also issued four walks, while striking out five batters. Jones tossed two innings and allowed two runs on two hits.

Sams finished 1-for-5 with two RBIs, while Gearhart tallied three hits in four at-bats in the lead-off spot for North Georgia.

Francis Marion 6, North Georgia 4 (Apr 17, 2016 at Dahlonega, Ga.)
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Francis Marion......  001 020 120  -  6  7  0      (23-19, 11-13 PBC)
North Georgia....... 000 100 021  -  4  8  0      (24-17, 13-14 PBC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Matt Kelley; John McGinty(8); Daniel Barfield(9) and Logan Koch.
North Georgia - Chris Cobb; Jacob Jones(6); Taylor Keinat(8); Zach Verner(8); Logan Burt(8);
Josh Bryan(9) and Sam Tidaback.
Win-Matt Kelley(5-4)  Save-Daniel Barfield(2)  Loss-Chris Cobb(4-2)  T-3:07  A-205
HR FMU - Brooks Kennedy (4); Shuler Ward (3).
HR UNG - Trevor Sams (10).
Weather: Sunny, 70, Wind E 8 mph
Keinat faced 1 batter in the 8th.