FLORENCE, SC — The Francis Marion University baseball team thumped Claflin University 25-2 on Friday evening (March 5) thanks to strong performances from the bats of senior third baseman Todd Mattox and sophomore left fielder Jack Hegan. 
 
The Patriots (5-4, 3-4) will conclude the 3-game Peach Belt Conference series against the Panthers (1-11, 1-11) with a twinbill 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.
 
Seven Patriots registered multiple hits in the victory with Mattox leading the way at 4-for-7, scoring four times, and driving in a game-high six runs. Hegan also went 4-for-7 scoring four runs and delivering one RBI, while junior right fielder Will Hardee went 3-for-4, sophomore designated hitter Austin Moore 3-for-5, graduate student shortstop Grayson Cottingham 2-for-4, senior center fielder Bill Hanna 2-for-4, and freshman outfielder Kolby Crepeau 2-for-2.
 
The victory was the 699th of FMU head coach Art Inabinet collegiate career leaving him one shy of 700.
 
Senior right-handed pitcher Daniel Twitty (1-0) recorded the win. He pitched six shutout innings, fanning three and giving up only four hits. Claflin right-hander X'zavier Johnson (0-3) was tagged with the loss for the Panthers.
 
Francis Marion plated four runs in the first inning, two thanks to a two-RBI triple from Mattox, an RBI double by senior first baseman Darius Nobles, and a bases-loaded walk issued to junior second baseman Tanner Wakefield. The Patriots added three more runs in the second, before exploding for nine runs in the third, highlighted by Mattox's second triple of the night – tying a school record – and Hardee's two-run homer.
 
This marks the first time a Patriot has recorded two triples in a game since 2011 when Michael Wilson turned the trick at Newberry College.
 
The Patriots added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, before unloading seven in the seventh.
 
Senior right-handed pitcher Ethan Meece relieved Twitty and took a shutout into the eighth inning before Panther third baseman Nicholas Johnson hit a two-RBI double down the right-field line. Junior righty Brock Rodgers tossed a scoreless ninth.
 
Nine Patriots had at least one hit as FMU pounded out a season-high 22 hits and were the beneficiary of 17 walks by Claflin pitching.
 
The 25 runs were the most by the Patriots in 13 seasons and only two shy of the FMU single-game record for runs in a PBC contest – both dating back to a 27-9 victory over Augusta State University on April 19, 2008.
 
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.
 

 
Francis Marion Univ. 25, Claflin University 2 (Mar 05, 2021 at Florence, SC)
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Claflin University.. 000 000 020  -  2  8  3      (1-11, 1-11 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 439 101 70X  - 25 22  1      (5-4, 3-4 PBC)
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Pitchers: Claflin University - X'zavier Johnson; Trevonte Green (3); Keati Buchanan (4);
Christopher Holley (7); Mackenze Gay (8) and Jordan McCray. Francis Marion Univ. - Daniel Twitty; Ethan Meece (7); Brock Rodgers (9) and Mickey Skole; Daulton Dabbs.
Win-Daniel Twitty(1-0)  Loss-X'zavier Johnson(0-3)  T-3:15  A-136
HR FMU - Will Hardee (2).
Weather: Clear, 55, Winds N 8 mph