MILLEDGEVILLE, GA – Francis Marion University took advantage of wildness by Georgia College pitchers to plate six two-out runs in the top of the eighth inning and post a 7-4 win over the previously unbeaten Bobcats, Saturday (Feb. 15) in Peach Belt Conference baseball action.

FMU (5-4, 1-1) and Georgia College (8-1, 4-1) will play the rubber game of the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Trailing 4-1 entering the eighth, FMU took advantage of three hit batters and three walks to score six times, all with two outs.  Junior third baseman Todd Mattox plated the first run when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  Senior second baseman Grayson Cottingham followed with a 2-run double to left, knotting the score at 4-4.

Following a pitching change, one of three in the frame, a walk reloaded the bases and then sophomore Trystan Freeman walked to force in the go-ahead run.  Junior shortstop Sam Stonskas laced a two-run single back up the middle to account for the final two runs.

Stonskas finished 2-for-4 as the only Patriot with multiple hits.

FMU junior right-hander Bailey Wendel (1-0) relieved starter Weston Rogers in the bottom of the seventh and was the beneficiary of the rally.  Senior righty Christian Umphlett tossed two scoreless innings to record his second save of 2020.

Rogers pitched well, allowing only two earned runs on 11 hits in 6.1 innings.

Freshman outfielder Jon-Mitchell Carter hit a solo home run to left field leading off the fourth to score the Patriots' first run.

Connor Darling (0-1) the third of six Bobcat hurlers was tabbed with the loss.

Francis Marion 7, Georgia College 4 (Feb 15, 2020 at Milledgeville, Ga.)
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Francis Marion......  000 100 060 - 7 7 4 (5-4, 1-1 PBC)
Georgia College..... 102 000 100 - 4 11 0 (8-1, 4-1 PBC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Weston Rogers; Bailey Wendel(7); Christian Umphlett(8) and
Trystan Freeman. Georgia College - H. Veldsma; A. McAlliste(8); C. Darling(8); L. Scudellar(8);
B. Smeltzer(8); J. Hester(8) and A. Holloway.
Win-Bailey Wendel(1-0) Save-Christian Umphlett(2) Loss-C. Darling(0-1) T-2:56 A-372
HR FMU - Jon-Mitchell Carter.
Weather: cool, mid 50s
L. Scudellar faced 2 batters in the 8th.
B. Smeltzer faced 2 batters in the 8th.