The Francis Marion University baseball team will return to action with a Peach Belt Conference series against Flagler College on Friday and Saturday (April 2-3). First pitch is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday starting 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 reserve the right to 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.

Francis Marion (11-9, 9-9) will send freshman right-hander Halton Hardy (1-0 record, 4.26 ERA), senior southpaw Weston Rogers (2-3, 4.45), and senior righty Bailey Wendel (1-2, 4.24) to the mound this weekend against the Saints (6-17, 5-12).  FMU is seventh in the PBC standings, but only two games out of the coveted fourth spot.

The Patriots are currently No.2 in the league in batting at .319 with 232 hits and 138 runs batted in. Flagler in sixth the conference in team fielding percentage at .962, however, the Saints are 11th in hitting with a .228 team average.

Two Patriots rank in the top-10 in the PBC in hitting. Senior infielder Todd Mattox ranks No.5 at .402 with three doubles, three triples, three home runs, and 24 RBIs. The Winnsboro native is slugging .598 and has an on-base percentage of .455. He ranks No.13 in the nation and No.2 in the PBC in hits with 37, and has safely reached base in 28 consecutive games dating back to last season.

Junior right fielder Will Hardee ranks No.6 in the PBC with a .398 average and five doubles, a triple, three home runs, and 17 RBIs. The hometown kid is slugging .590 with a .440 on-base percentage. On the mound, Hardee has registered two saves and a 2.45 earned run average.

The Saints lead the all-time series 13-11.  However, Flagler has dropped 10 of its last 11 games this season.  Senior outfielder Adam Mitchell paces the Saints with a .310 average. 

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.