AIKEN, SC – For the second time in three games this weekend, USC Aiken used a walk-off homer, this time by freshman pinch hitter Brady O'Neil in the 11th inning, to beat Francis Marion University 8-6, Sunday afternoon (Feb. 25) in Peach Belt Conference baseball action.

FMU falls to 7-9 overall and 3-6 in the conference, while the Pacers improve to 9-4 and 3-0. The Patriots will be on the road Tuesday for a match up with Wingate University at 3 p.m. before returning home next weekend to face Limestone College on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Junior shortstop CJ Mackinson led the way for Francis Marion with a 3-for-5 performance and  two RBIs, while junior center fielder Henry Davis IV had a 2-RBI double in the contest.

The Patriots got off to a 3-0 start as they scored one run in the first inning on senior catcher William Robbins' RBI single, and two in the second frame with Davis' two-run double down the left field line.

The Pacers came back in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run homer by senior first baseman Brian Parreira tying the game at 3-3.

Mackinson accounted for two runs in the top of the fifth with a 2-run homer putting FMU back up 5-3.

USCA had four consecutive hits plating three runs in their half of the fifth as junior left fielder Joey Smithers and senior third baseman Daulton Weeks had RBI singles, followed by Parreira's RBI double giving the Pacers a 6-5 lead.

With the bases loaded, two outs, and a full count in the top of the ninth, junior designated hitter Josh Kent walked bringing in the tying run and forcing extra innings.  The Patriots rally started with two outs and no one on base.

The Patriots left the bases loaded in the ninth, two runners on in the 10th, and one runner on in the 11th. In the bottom of the 11th frame and the score still notched at 6-6, O'Neil ended the game with his 2-run shot.  

Senior right-handed pitcher Jamie Morlan (1-0) earned his first win of the season pitching two innings and giving up no runs or hits.

FMU sophomore righty Christian Umphlett (1-2) pitched 4.1 innings of relief, giving up just the two runs on only one hit and striking out two batters.  Patriot southpaw starter Arien Seymour went three frames, surrendering three runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

USC Aiken 8, Francis Marion 6 (Feb 25, 2018 at Aiken, S.C.)
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Francis Marion...... 120 020 001 00 -  6  6  0      (7-9, 3-6 PBC)
USC Aiken...........  000 330 000 02 -  8  9  1      (9-4, 3-0 PBC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Arien Seymour; Evan Flynn(4); Garrett Wilson(5);
Christian Umphlett(7) and William Robbins. USC Aiken - Garvin Alston Jr.; Hunter Shuff(3);
Jon Yarborough(6); Daniel Wiggins(7); Blake Seigler(9); Christian Aragon(9);
Freddie Beamon III(9); Jarod McElyea(10); Jamie Morlan(10) and Blake Bottomley.
Win-Jamie Morlan (1-0)  Loss-Christian Umphlett (1-2)  T-4:40  A-207
HR FMU - CJ Mackinson. HR USCA - Brian Parreira; Brady O'Neil.
Weather: Cloudy but no rain (RAIN DELAY in top of third inning)
Seymour faced 3 batters in the 4th. Aragon faced 1 batter in the 9th.