PEMBROKE, NC – Despite outhitting their counterparts on the day, Francis Marion University dropped both ends of a Conference Carolinas baseball doubleheader to 21st-ranked UNC Pembroke on Saturday (Mar. 11), falling 4-2 and 7-4.
 
Francis Marion (11-13, 6-6) will play two non-conference contests on the road this week:  at Coker University on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and at Claflin University on Wednesday at 3 p.m., before hosting Emmanuel College for a three-game series next weekend.
 
In the opening game – a seven-inning contest – UNCP (18-4, 8-1) scored three times in the bottom of the first off junior FMU southpaw Chas DeBruhl (4-2).  DeBruhl would go on to record the complete-game effort, allowing all four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts.
 
FMU got on the scoreboard in the second inning with junior center fielder Zack Summerville's two-out RBI-single up the middle.  The Patriots closed to within 4-2 in the fourth when senior second baseman Naphis Llanos plated junior shortstop Blake Falor with an RBI grounder.
 
However, the Braves restored their two-run margin with a tally in the bottom of the inning.
 
Looking to rally, the Patriots left a runner in scoring position in both the fifth and seventh innings and left two on in the sixth.
 
Senior catcher Isaac Schuck led FMU at the plate with three hits.
 
UNCP starter Branden Kunz (3-1) earned the win, while reliever Chase Jernigan recorded his second save by getting the final four outs.
 
In the second game – a nine-inning affair – Francis Marion erased an early 2-0 deficit with four runs in the top of the fifth inning.
 
The outburst included a two-run single by sophomore first baseman Tyler Reynolds, freshman third baseman Charlie Bussey III scoring on a throwing error, and Summerville plating the fourth run with an RBI ground out.
 
Bussey III was the lone Patriot with multiple hits in game two as he went 2-for-2.
 
The Braves immediately tied the contest at 4-4 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth.  A walk, two stolen bases, and a run-scoring ground out, followed by a solo homer by right fielder Kody O'Connor comprised the rally.
 
The Braves then scored single runs in each of the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to account for the final margin.
 
Trailing only 6-4 in the top of the eighth, Francis Marion loaded the bases, but could not push across a run.
 
Junior Patriot righty Connor Kirkley (0-1) took the hard-luck loss as he allowed only two hits in two innings and both runs he surrender were unearned.
 
Patriot senior right-hander Matt Dooley overcame a shaky start and recorded a good outing.  He went five innings and allowed four runs on only two hits with five strikeouts.
 
UNCP sophomore right-hander Jonathon Jacobs (2-1) was the winning pitcher, while Luke Barrow earned his first save with two scoreless innings.
 
 
#21 UNC Pembroke 4, Francis Marion 2 (Mar 11, 2023 at Pembroke, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion...... 010 100 0 -  2  8  2      (11-12, 6-5 CC)
UNC Pembroke..... 300 100 X -  4  8  1      (17-4, 7-1 CC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Chas DeBruhl and Isaac Schuck. UNC Pembroke - B. Kunz; C. Jernigan(6) and J. Barham.
Win-Branden Kunz (3-1)  Save- Chase Jernigan (2)  Loss-Chas DeBruhl (4-2)  T-2:00  A-354
Weather: Sunny, 57*, NNW 16 MPH
 
 
#21 UNC Pembroke 7, Francis Marion 4 (Mar 11, 2023 at Pembroke, N.C.) (Game 2)
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Francis Marion...... 000 040 000  -  4  7  2      (11-13, 6-6 CC)
UNC Pembroke..... 200 021 11X  -  7  5  2      (18-4, 8-1 CC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Matt Dooley; Connor Kirkley(6); Ben Thornton(8) and Tucker Rabun;
Isaac Schuck. UNC Pembroke - J. Jacobs; Burley(7); L. Barrow(8) and J. Bradley.
Win-Jonathan Jacobs (2-1)  Save-Luke Barrow (1)  Loss-Connor Kirkley (0-1)  T-2:41
HR UNCP - K. O'Connor (10).
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 58*, NNW 11 MPH