FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University erased a one-run deficit by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to grab a 14-8 game-one win over UNC Pembroke, Sunday afternoon (April 8) in Peach Belt Conference baseball action.  The Braves earned a split of the doubleheader by winning game two 8-4.

Francis Marion (14-25, 6-18) will travel to Columbus State University for a three-game PBC series next weekend beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The opening-game rally made a winner of Patriot sophomore reliever Christian Umphlett (4-4) who pitched the eighth and ninth innings.

All eight runs in the rally were scored with two outs, beginning with a 2-run single to left field by junior outfielder Gage Taylor. Three batters later, junior designated hitter Alex Griffith plated two more runs with a single to left.  After a hit batter reloaded the bases, senior pinch hitter Justin Palmer drilled a 3-run double to the right centerfield gap.  Junior third baseman Steven Cox capped the outburst with an RBI-single to right field.

Taylor, who had his 20-game hitting streak stopped on Friday by the Braves, went 3-for-4 with the two runs batted in.  Senior catcher William Robbins also collected three hits as the Patriots outhit UNCP 17-15.

Four Patriots registered two hits: sophomore second baseman Patrick Jackson, junior right fielder Cole Hinnant, Griffith, and senior designated hitter Tee DuBose.  Jackson hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning that deflected off the glove of the UNCP left fielder and over the wall.

Left fielder Luke Jackson led UNCP (26-10, 10-10) with four hits in game one, while third baseman Trey Jacobs homered twice and drove in five runs.

FMU never led until the eighth inning.  The Braves led 2-0 after one inning, 2-1 after two, 5-2 after three, 6-3 after four, 6-4 after five, and 7-6 after six.

UNCP earned a split of the twinbill as junior left-hander Jordan Toney (3-0) tossed seven shutout innings in game two and the Braves prevailed 8-4.

UNCP led 8-0 before Francis Marion scored one run in the eighth and three in the bottom of the ninth.  FMU had the potential tying run in the on-deck circle when Braves reliever Trace Hagler extinguished the rally.

FMU junior righty Isaac Rodgers (2-6) absorbed the loss as he went seven innings.  Hinnant and junior shortstop CJ Mackinson both registered three hits in game two, while senior first baseman Trey Chapman had two hits.  Mackinson drove in three runs, while Hinnant had one RBI.

 

Francis Marion Univ. 14, UNC Pembroke 8 (Apr 08, 2018 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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UNC Pembroke........ 203 101 001  -  8 15  3      (25-10, 9-10 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 011 112 08X  - 14 17  2      (14-24, 6-17 PBC)
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Pitchers: UNC Pembroke - Landen Smith; Hank Simpson(6); Gunner Deal(8); Thomas DuRant(8) and
Trevor Clemons. Francis Marion Univ. - Sam High; John-Riley Hathcock(3); Austin Roseberry(6);
Christian Umphlett(8) and William Robbins.
Win-Christian Umphlett (4-4)  Loss-Hank Simpson (3-3)  T-3:17  A-549
HR UNCP - Trey Jacobs 2 (11).
HR FMU - Patrick Jackson (3).

UNC Pembroke 8, Francis Marion Univ. 4 (Apr 08, 2018 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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UNC Pembroke........ 200 010 050  -  8 11  0      (26-10, 10-10 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 000 000 013  -  4 10  5      (14-25, 6-18 PBC)
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Pitchers: UNC Pembroke - Jordan Toney; Davis Hurd(8); Trace Hagler(9) and Alex Simpson.
Francis Marion Univ. - Isaac Rodgers; Will Taks(8); Garrett Wilson(8); Cole Hinnant(9) and
Alex Griffith.
Win-Jordan Toney (3-0)  Loss-Isaac Rodgers (2-6)  T-3:10
Weather: Sunny, 55, Winds N @ 7 mph
I.Rodgers faced 2 batters in the 8th.