GREENWOOD, SC -- Francis Marion Patriots squandered an early seven-run lead and then rallied from an 11-10 deficit in the sixth inning with a three-run seventh frame to knock off North Greenville University 13-12, Friday afternoon (Feb. 11) in college baseball action.
 
The Patriots (5-0) complete a perfect day at Lander University with a pair of non-conference victories.  Earlier in the day, FMU downed Queens University of Charlotte 8-5.
 
Off to its best start since 2017, Francis Marion will play host to USC Aiken on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
 
Junior right-hander Matt Dooley (1-0) earned his first career pitching decision as a Patriot.  Junior righty Austin Moore, who served as an infielder and designated hitter for the past two seasons, then went two innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing three walks and striking out one. Senior righty Nick Palumbo earned the save as he struck out the side in the ninth, stranding runners at second and third.
 
Graduate student first baseman Darius Nobles led the way offensively for the Patriots, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two walks and two runs batted in. Junior left fielder Jack Hegan went 2-for-6 with a home run and three RBIs, while graduate student designated hitter Leniel Gonzalez was 2-for-5 with two walks and three RBIs.
 
The Patriots scored in six different innings for the third time this season. A four-run third frame, highlighted by Hegan's three-run homer over the left field wall, staked FMU to an 8-1 advantage.
 
However, a four-run sixth inning propelled the Crusaders to an 11-10 lead.  Francis Marion responded with three runs in the seventh.  The rally included back-to-back run-scoring triples by fifth-year senior third baseman Todd Mattox and senior catcher Lex Tuten and a sacrifice fly from graduate student second baseman Tanner Wakefield.
 
Mattox's 2-for-5 effort extended both his 17-game hitting streak and his consecutive games reaching base safely streak to 48 contests – a streak dates back to the 2020 season.
 
Fifth-year senior center fielder Bill Hanna, junior shortstop Naphis Llanos, and Tuten also registered two hits apiece as the Patriots pounded out 15 hits and took advantage of four NGU errors, eight walks, and five hit batters.
 
Moore held North Greenville scoreless through the seventh and eighth innings, before allowing a lead-off single in the ninth and was replaced by Palumbo.  The Crusaders would load the bases, but score only once on wild pitch.
 
Jax Cash (0-1), the fifth of six NGU pitchers, took the loss.
 
 
Francis Marion 13, North Greenville 12 (2/11/2022 at Greenwood, S.C.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Francis Marion...... 134 110 300  - 13 15  0      (5-0, 0-0)
North Greenville.... 104 114 001  - 12 13  4      (3-2, 0-0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Francis Marion - Robbie Jordan; Cory Poulsen(4); Tyler Reynolds(5); Matt Dooley(6);
Austin Moore(7); Nick Palumbo(9) and Lex Tuten. North Greenville - R. Fields; S. Chestnut(3);
Mintz, Jr(5); S. Kight(5); J. Cash(6); T. Hudson(7) and john Michael Faile.
Win-Matt Dooley (1-0)  Save-Nick Palumbo (1)  Loss-Jax Cash (0-1)  T-4:17  A-300
HR FMU - Darius Nobles; Jack Hegan. HR NGU - J. Senter; J. Holladay.
Weather: 59, sunny
 
GAME NOTES
Gonzalez and Hegan drove in three runs each for the Patriots.
Every Francis Marion starter reached base safely in the win.
Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
Seven Patriots had multiple hits in the ballgame.
The Patriots had a total of 15 hits.
The Patriots out-hit the Crusaders at a 15-13 clip.
Francis Marion went 8-for-24 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
Francis Marion pitchers faced 49 North Greenville hitters in the game, allowing eight
ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out eight.
The Patriots drew eight walks from North Greenville pitching.
Nobles led the Patriots at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.
North Greenville was led offensively by Josh Senter, who went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and four RBIs.
Tristen Hudson led the Crusaders pitching staff, throwing three shutout innings.