TIGERVILLE, SC – In a Conference Carolinas doubleheader on Saturday (Apr. 13) between third-ranked North Greenville University and Francis Marion University, the Crusaders defeated the Patriots 6-4 in game one and 17-3 in game two.
 
Francis Marion (16-24, 7-17) returns to the field on Tuesday (Apr. 16) to take on Lander University at 6 p.m. in Sparrow Stadium before resuming Conference Carolinas action on Saturday (Apr. 19) at Southern Wesleyan University.
 
In game one, junior right fielder Tanner Cannon led the Patriots with one hit, one run scored, and two runs batted in. Cannon was followed by junior designated hitter Noah Stout as he tallied two hits and two runs scored.
 
To get an early start, North Greenville (32-9, 18-6) scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Patriots trailed 2-0 until the bottom of the third inning as the Crusaders recorded an additional run for a 3-0 lead.
 
In the top of the fifth frame, junior second baseman Owen Taylor doubled to settle into scoring position and was quickly followed by Stout who singled to put runners at first and third. A two RBI-double from Cannon plated both runners, cutting down the lead to just one run at a score of 3-2.
 
After groundouts from junior catcher Hunter Looper and sophomore left fielder Caleb Oakley, Cannon was able to score on a wild pitch and knot the score at 3-3 before being retired to the bottom of the fifth.
 
North Greenville posted three more runs in the sixth, leading FMU 6-3.
 
Francis Marion's final run was recorded by Stout as he homered over the wall in right field in the seventh.
 
Sophomore right-hander Tyson Hall (3-2) was charged with his second loss after throwing 48 pitchers while facing 11 batters. Reece Fields (9-2) of NGU was credited with the win as he pitched all seven innings and only allowed three runs.
 
In game two, Stout (2) and senior center fielder Zack Summerville (2) combined for a total of four hits while Taylor drove in 2-of-3 runs.
 
Much like game one, NGU began ahead as they scored one run in the bottom of the first frame and four runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-0 lead.
 
After junior shortstop Peyton Wilson, Summerville doubled into left field and then was quickly driven by Stout on a base hit. After working through six pitches delivered by Nate Lamb, Taylor then homered to bring two runs in and trim the margin down to 5-3. 
NGU listed 12 unanswered runs throughout the remainder of the contest and extended the lead to 17-3.
 
Francis Marion's junior right-handed pitcher Connor Kirkley (1-1) was charged with the loss and North Greenville's Nate Lamb (3-1) posted another win.
 
 
#3 North Greenville 6, Francis Marion 4 (Apr 13, 2024 at Tigerville, SC) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion...... 000 030 1 -  4  5  2      (16-23, 7-16 CC)
North Greenville.... 201 003 X -  6 10  0      (31-9, 17-6 CC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Danny Leo; Tyson Hall(5); Tyler Burgess(6) and Hunter Looper.
North Greenville - Reece Fields and Jax Cash.
Win-Reece Fields (9-2)  Loss-Tyson Hall (3-2)  T-2:03  A-348
HR FMU - Noah Stout (6).
HR NGU - Pat Monteith 2 (7).
Weather: Clear, 67 Degrees
 
 
#3 North Greenville 17, Francis Marion 3 (Apr 13, 2024 at Tigerville, SC) (Game 2)
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Francis Marion...... 003 000 000  -  3  8  2      (16-24, 7-17 CC)
North Greenville.... 142 033 04X  - 17 16  0      (32-9, 18-6 CC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Connor Kirkley; Donavan Accerbi(3); Peyton Starkey(3);
Malik Frails(5); Hunter Herlong(6); Tyler Burgess(8) and Nick LaVigne. North Greenville -
Nate Lamb; Cade Spikes(5); Kadan Roach(6); Evan Loeser(6); Matthew Taubensee(7);
Dawson Taylor(8); Nate Roof(9) and Jake Sears.
Win-Nate Lamb (3-1)  Loss-Connor Kirkley (1-1)  T-3:23  A-328
HR FMU - Owen Taylor (3).
HR NGU - Pat Monteith (8); David Lewis (15); Landon Peavy (4).
Weather: Clear, 74 Degrees