WINGATE, NC – Francis Marion University exploded with a monstrous 10-run top-of-the-ninth-inning comeback to take down 28th-ranked Wingate University 11-2, Wednesday night (Mar. 29) in non-conference baseball action.
 
This is the second season in a row the Patriots have defeated a nationally ranked Bulldogs squad in mid-week action. Wingate won the 2021 Division II College Baseball World Series.
 
Francis Marion (15-19) will return to Conference Carolinas play with a home series against Southern Wesleyan University starting on Friday (Mar. 31) with a single game at 6 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday (Apr. 1) at 1 p.m.
 
FMU sophomore right-hander Josh Adams (2-0) earned the win on the mound after coming on in the eighth and tossing the final two innings, giving up one hit, fanning one batter, and allowing no earned runs.
 
Junior reliever Connor Kirkley along with seniors Corey Poulsen and Ben Thornton threw an inning each allowing no runs or hits.
 
Five Patriots recorded two hits at the plate, including graduate student second baseman Tanner Wakefield, senior catcher Isaac Schuck, senior designated hitter Naphis Llanos, junior left fielder Zack Summerville, and sophomore center fielder Caleb Oakley. Summerville and senior right fielder Will Hardee both penciled in two-RBI performances.
 
Llanos, Hardee, and freshman third baseman Charlie Bussey III each crossed home plate twice.
 
With the Patriots down to their last three outs in the top of the ninth, a bunt by junior shortstop Blake Falor gave the Patriots a bases-loaded situation and the leading run now in scoring position. Summerville ripped a two-run single to right field to put FMU in the lead at 3-2 with no outs. A bases-loaded walk to Hardee forced in a run, before the Bulldogs got the first out on sacrifice by sophomore Kollin Crepeau that put FMU up 5-2. The Patriots scored six more times to lead 11-2, including the lineup batting around before Wingate could close out the dramatic ninth and get to the plate.
  
Wingate (20-12) pounced first delivering a solo home run from leadoff hitter Seaver King to lead 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning.  
 
FMU responded with a solo home run of its own from Hardee to knot the score at 1-1 in the top of the third inning. This is Hardee's fourth home run in four games and his sixth of the season, tying his career season-high.
 
The Bulldogs came back with an answer in the fourth with runners on the corners, after a wild pitch gave the Bulldogs a one-run lead at 2-1.
 
The Bulldogs brought one runner across in the ninth, but the Patriots wouldn't allow a comeback to forge, escaping with the victory.
 
Sophomore southpaw Cal Riehl (2-1) took the loss for Wingate, facing three Patriots, allowing four earned runs on three hits, and walking one.
 
 
Francis Marion 11, #28 Wingate 3 (Mar 29, 2023 at Wingate, N.C.)
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Francis Marion...... 001 000 00(10)  - 11 12  2      (15-19)
Wingate................ 100 100 001     -  3  3  1      (20-12)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Danny Leo; Jack Hegan(3); Cory Poulsen(5); Connor Kirkley(6); Ben Thornton(7); Josh Adams(8) and Isaac Schuck. Wingate - Josh Dotson; Austin Johnson(6); Corey Avant(7); Cal Riehl(9); Jordan Howard(9); Zach Gonsiorowski(9); Harrison Miller(9) and Lane Rhodes.
Win-Josh Adams (2-0)  Loss-Cal Riehl (2-1)  T-2:52  A-237
HR FMU - Will Hardee (6).  HR WU - Seaver King.
Weather: Clear, 60 degrees
Cal Riehl faced 4 batters in the 9th.
J. Howard faced 2 batters in the 9th.