FLORENCE, SC -- Francis Marion University dropped both games of Saturday's (April 23) Conference Carolinas baseball doubleheader with UNC Pembroke, as the Braves took the first game 3-2 and the second game 4-2.
The Patriots (28-16, 15-12) will host King University for a doubleheader on Friday (April 29) starting at 3 p.m. and a single game Saturday (April 30) at 1:30 p.m. That series will conclude regular-season play for FMU.
In game one, freshman right-hander
Robbie Jordan (7-3) started and took the loss for Francis Marion. The Florence native went 5.2 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on eight hits, allowing no walks, and striking out three.
Senior right fielder
Will Hardee led the way offensively for the Patriots, going 2-for-4 with a triple. Graduate student designated hitter
Darius Nobles went 2-for-2 with a walk, while freshman shortstop
Tyler Reynolds finished 1-for-3 with a run batted in.
The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Reynolds singled off the pitcher's glove, scoring senior first baseman
Leniel Gonzalez from third base.
The Braves (32-13, 20-7) then rallied to score singles runs in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings and take a 3-1 lead before the Patriots got back on the board in the seventh inning. Hardee tripled with two outs and came home on a fielding error to trim the margin to 3-2. However, UNCP southpaw closer Landen Smith retired the next batter to earn the save and end the seven-inning contest.
In game two, senior right-hander
Nick Palumbo (2-2) came out of the bullpen and took the loss. The righty went two innings, giving up two runs, both unearned earned, on three hits, while allowing one walk and striking out five.
Patriot junior right-hander
Matt Dooley went the first five innings for FMU. Through 4.2 frames, he faced the minimum 14 batters. However, the Braves scored twice off him in the fifth. Junior reliever
Ben Thornton tossed two no-hit and shutout innings prior to Palumbo entering.
Nobles led the Patriots by going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and two RBIs, while extending his hitting streak to 15 games. Hardee went 2-for-3 with two walks. The South Florence High School product extended his hitting streak to 22 games, which is now the fifth longest all-time in program history.
FMU graduate student second baseman
Tanner Wakefield also had two hits.
The Patriots put two runs on the scoreboard in the third inning, thanks to a two-run double off the bat of Nobles. UNC Pembroke plated two runs in the sixth – including a home run to left-center from shortstop Wellington Guzman – and two in the eighth, the latter two coming home on a two-out fielding error.
Junior right-hander Branden Kunz (7-1) and freshman righty Jonathon Jacobs (3-0) both picked up wins respectfully for the Braves. Smith also saved the second contest.
UNC Pembroke 3, Francis Marion Univ. 2 (Apr 23, 2022 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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UNC Pembroke........ 000 011 1 - 3 9 1 (31-13, 19-7 CC)
Francis Marion Univ. 010 000 1 - 2 6 1 (28-15, 15-11 CC)
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Pitchers: UNC Pembroke - Branden Kunz; Landen Smith(6) and Garrett Littleton.
Francis Marion Univ. -
Robbie Jordan;
Daniel Twitty(6) and
Lex Tuten.
Win-Branden Kunz(7-1) Save-Landen Smith(5) Loss-
Robbie Jordan(7-3) T-2:18 A-182
Weather: Partly Cloudy,80,Winds N@5mph
GAME 1 NOTES
» Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed one run across.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 33 North Carolina-Pembroke hitters in the game, allowing 15 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out three.
» Hardee led the Patriots at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a triple.
» North Carolina-Pembroke was led offensively by freshman Ethan Ott, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Junior Branden Kunz led the Braves pitching staff, throwing 5.2 innings of one-run ball.
UNC Pembroke 4, Francis Marion Univ. 2 (Apr 23, 2022 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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UNC Pembroke........ 000 002 020 - 4 8 0 (32-13, 20-7 CC)
Francis Marion Univ. 002 000 000 - 2 9 1 (28-16, 15-12 CC)
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Pitchers: UNC Pembroke - Evan McLean; Gabe Hernandez(3); Jonathon Jacobs(6); Landen Smith(8)
and Garrett Littleton. Francis Marion Univ. -
Matt Dooley;
Ben Thornton(6);
Nick Palumbo(8) and
Isaac Schuck.
Win-Jonathon Jacobs(3-0) Save-Landen Smith(6) Loss-
Nick Palumbo(2-2) T-3:23 A-0
HR UNCP - Wellington Guzman (12).
Weather: Mostly Sunny,81,Winds NW@6mph
Dooley faced 4 batters in the 6th.
GAME 2 NOTES
» Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» Francis Marion left 13 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Patriots out-hit the Braves at a 9-8 clip.
» Francis Marion pitchers limited North Carolina-Pembroke to just 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 38 North Carolina-Pembroke hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Patriots drew six walks from North Carolina-Pembroke pitching.
» Nobles led the Patriots at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
» North Carolina-Pembroke was led offensively by senior Wellington Guzman, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI.
» Senior Landen Smith led the Braves pitching staff, throwing 1.2 shutout innings.
