FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – Francis Marion University sophomore center fielder Caleb Oakley singled home a run and senior southpaw Chas DeBruhl pitched seven strong innings, but Emmanuel University (Ga.) rallied for a 5-1 win over the Patriots, Friday evening (March 29) in the opening game of a three-game Conference Carolinas baseball series.
 
The two squads will play a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.
 
The Patriots (13-17, 6-10) took a 1-0 advantage in the second inning when senior third baseman Blake Falor doubled with two outs and came home when Oakley drilled an RBI-single to left.  However, FMU stranded two runners on base in each of the second and third innings and were unable to build on that early lead.
 
The Lions (19-14, 8-8) touched DeBruhl for a two-run homer by catcher Nick Dietsch with two outs in the fourth.
 
That was all DeBruhl (3-4) would surrender as he scattered five hits over his seven innings.
 
Emmanuel scored three insurance runs against the Patriot bullpen in the eighth.
 
In addition to Oakley and Falor, junior shortstop Peyton Wilson and senior left fielder Zack Summerville accounted for the other FMU hits.
 
Lions' reliever Chase Lupton (5-0) registered the win with three scoreless innings.



Emmanuel University 5, Francis Marion 1 (Mar 29, 2024 at Franklin Springs, GA)
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Francis Marion........... 010 000 000  -  1  4  2      (13-17)
Emmanuel University. 000 200 03X  -  5  8  1      (19-14)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Chas DeBruhl; Connor Kirkley(8); Donavan Accerbi(8) and Nick LaVigne.
Emmanuel University - B. Barkley; C. Lupton(5); D. Drakeford(8); C. Brown(9) and N. Dietsch.
Win-C. Lupton (5-0)  Loss-Chas DeBruhl (3-4)  T-2:40  A-150
HR EMMANUEL - N. Dietsch.
Weather: Sunny and 72
Kirkley faced 4 batters in the 8th.