HARTSVILLE, SC – Local-rival Coker University grabbed a 13-3 win over Francis Marion University, Tuesday night (March 14) in non-conference baseball action.
 
Francis Marion (11-14) will play a non-conference contest at Claflin University on Wednesday at 3 p.m., before returning home to continue Conference Carolinas play with a three-game series against Emmanuel College on March 17-18.
 
Five Patriots recorded a hit for FMU at the plate against the Cobras (10-15), including junior catcher Isaac Schuck who led the lineup with two runs batted in.
 
Patriot junior right-hander Danny Leo, the first of four FMU pitchers, took the loss and saw his record drop to 0-2.
 
Coker junior righty Aaron Diaz (1-0) allowed four hits over seven innings while fanning eight. 
 
The Patriots would jump out in front in the top of the first inning, beginning with an RBI-double from freshman third baseman Charlie Bussey III that would score senior second baseman Naphis Llanos. Schuck followed with a two-run RBI single to left field scoring senior right fielder Will Hardee and Bussey III.
 
The Cobras scored 13 unanswered runs, plating a single tally in the second, six in the fourth, two each in the fifth, seventh, and eighth.  Sophomore third baseman Eli Hopkins led the way with three hits, while four Cobras each scored twice.
 
 
Coker 13, Francis Marion 3 (3/14/2023 at Tom J. New Field)
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Francis Marion...... 300 000 00 -  3  5  2
Coker Univ............ 010 620 22 - 13 12  3
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Danny Leo; Jack Hegan(4); Cory Poulsen(5); Toddie Stocks(7) and Isaac Schuck and Peyton Britt.
Coker - A. Diaz; C. Thomas(8) and Wall.
Win-A. Diaz (1-0)  Loss-Danny Leo (0-2)  T-2:30  A-89