WINGATE, NC – Francis Marion University junior center fielder Bill Hanna registered three hits, a run scored, and a run driven in, but the Patriots fell 8-3 to Wingate University in a non-conference road game, Tuesday (Feb. 25) evening in baseball action.

Francis Marion (5-8) will return to Peach Belt Conference action this weekend (Feb. 28-Mar. 1) as it hosts Young Harris College. The series will consist of single games on Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.  Friday is Faculty Appreciation Night and Saturday is an Extra Day, Extra Play Promotion with a special discounted admission of $3 for everyone.

Following Hanna were three Patriots with two hits apiece: second baseman Grayson Cottingham, senior designated hitter Leniel Gonzalez, and junior third baseman Todd Mattox.

Junior right-hander Reece Kleinhelter (0-1) started the contest for FMU and surrendered three runs on four hits in 4.2 innings of work.

FMU scored in the first on an RBI-single by Mattox. After Wingate knotted the game with a run in its half of the first, the Patriots took a 2-1 advantage in the second on a run-scoring single up the middle by Gonzalez.

Wingate (10-4) scored twice in the fifth and five times in the sixth to take an 8-2 lead, before the Patriots got back on the board in the ninth with Hanna singling home Brett Kemp.

Starting on the mound for Wingate was senior lefty Riley Isenhour (1-0), who threw 5.0 innings and allowed eight hits and two runs.

Bulldog left fielder Andrew Motsinger went 2-for-5, while designate hitter Grayson Chapman was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Right fielder Ricky Clark was 1-for-4 with a walk and had two RBIs for the Bulldogs.

Wingate 8, Francis Marion 3 (Feb 25, 2020 at Wingate, N.C.)
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Francis Marion...... 110 000 001  -  3 11  4      (5-8)
Wingate.............    100 025 00X  -  8 10  1      (10-4)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Reece Kleinhelter; Colby Lee (5); Ethan Meece (6); Austin Moody (6);
Chad Wallen (8) and Trystan Freeman; Daulton Dabbs. Wingate - R. Isenhour; A. Johnson (6);
Chris Macca (9) and Jed Bryant; J. Harley.
Win-R. Isenhour (1-0)  Loss-Reece Kleinhelter (0-1)  T-2:38  A-197
Weather: Overcast, 63 degrees