AUGUSTA, GA – Junior second baseman
Tanner Wakefield drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out RBI-double in the eighth inning and junior
Will Hardee collected three hits and earned a two-inning save as Francis Marion University beat Augusta University 3-2 to earn a split of Saturday's Peach Belt Conference baseball doubleheader. Augusta won the opener 6-5.
Francis Marion (10-7, 8-7) will return to Florence to host USC Aiken for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday, March 26-27. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Friday followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. Admission to the Griffin Athletic Complex will be limited to 250 spectators, including only FMU season ticket holders, FMU students who pick up free tickets prior to first pitch, and family members of team members who purchase tickets beforehand. No walk-up day-of-game ticket sales will be available. Spectators will be required to wear masks and social distancing will be observed.
In Saturday's opener, the Patriots struck first when designated hitter
Carson Jones drew a bases-load RBI walk. The Jaguars (3-11, 2-10) exploded for three runs in the bottom of the frame. FMU added another run in the second thanks to a fielding error by the Jaguar's third basemen, before Augusta plated another run in the fifth to lead 4-2.
The Patriots knotted things up at 4-4 in the sixth thanks to a two-RBI single to left field by sophomore left fielder
Jack Hegan. However, the Jaguars answered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to regain the lead. A two-out solo homer by senior first baseman
Darius Nobles got FMU within 6-5 in the ninth, but the rally ended there.
FMU freshman righty reliever
Joshua Collins (0-1) was tagged with the loss. Augusta righty Chase Horton (2-0) captured the win with four innings of work.
Senior third baseman
Todd Mattox (2-for-4) and Wakefield (2-for-3) led the Patriots at the plate in game one.
FMU struck first again in game two, this time in the second inning — the Patriots struck first in all three games of the series and in each of their last six contests — off an RBI double by Wakefield. The Patriots added another run in the fourth thanks to a run-scoring triple to right from Hardee.
FMU freshman right-handed pitcher
Halton Hardy pitched 5.2 scoreless innings before leaving with two on and two outs in the sixth. Junior righty
Cory Poulsen (2-1) entered and stranded the two runners. However, in the next frame, the Jaguars deadlocked the score at 2-2. In the Patriot eighth, Nobles led off with a single. Following a fielder's choice grounder, sophomore designated hitter
Austin Moore singled to put runners on first and second. Following a fly out, Wakefield stroked his game-deciding double to left field scoring graduate student shortstop
Grayson Cottingham with the go-ahead run.
Hardee entered in relief for Poulsen in the bottom of the eighth, making his second career appearance on the mound. He retired all six batters he faced, registered three strikeouts, and earned his second save of the season.
Three Patriots logged multiple hits in game two with Hardee at 3-for-4, Wakefield at 3-for-4, and Moore at 2-for-4.
For the latest news and updates regarding Francis Marion baseball, follow the Patriots on Twitter at @FMUSports, on Facebook at FMUSports, and Instagram at @FMUSports or check out information online at www.fmupatriots.com.
Augusta 6, Francis Marion 5 (3/20/2021 at Augusta Ga)
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Francis Marion...... 110 002 001 - 5 6 1 (9-6)
Augusta............. 300 012 00X - 6 4 1 (2-10)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion -
Weston Rogers;
Joshua Collins(6);
Reece Kleinhelter(7)
and
Daulton Dabbs. Augusta - B. Trepanier; C. Horton (6) and Nogueras.
Win-C. Horton (2-0) Loss-
Joshua Collins (0-1) T- A-75
HR FMU -
Darius Nobles. HR AUGUSTA - J. Nogueras.
Francis Marion 3, Augusta 2 (3/20/2021 at Augusta Ga) (Game 2)
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Francis Marion...... 010 100 010 - 3 11 0 (9-7)
Augusta............. 000 000 200 - 2 8 1 (3-10)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion -
Halton Hardy;
Cory Poulsen (6);
Will Hardee (8) and
Trystan Freeman. Augusta - W. Cantrell; B. Koch(7); J. Dubberly(9) and J. Nogueras.
Win-
Cory Poulsen (2-1) Loss-W. Cantrell Save-
Will Hardee (2) T- A-100
