FLORENCE, SC – Senior right fielder Austin Bunn paced Francis Marion University in a 13-9 series clinching loss to Barton College on Sunday (Feb. 23) with a home run that scored three runs late in the seventh inning.
 
The Patriots (11-4, 2-4) will host USC Aiken for a mid-week non-conference match-up on Wednesday (Feb. 26) at 3 p.m.
 
FMU sophomore first baseman Charlie Bussey III had another standout day at the plate as he went 3-for-5 and drove in two runs. Following the series, Bussey III now leads the Patriots on the season in both hits (27) and RBIs (22).
 
Yariel Diaz recorded a perfect day for Barton (9-7, 4-2) as he went 4-4 in the batter's box, while Gavin Gilmore tallied four of the team's 10 RBIs.
 
Francis Marion jumped ahead early in the bottom of the first inning as Bussey III hit an RBI-double that scored senior catcher Caleb Oakley – who initially reached the bases on a walk. Barton then answered with one run scored in the top of the second and third innings to lead 2-1.
 
 A double down the right field line placed Oakley in scoring position to lead off the bottom of the third. After moving up to third base on a wild pitch, Oakley scored on a single through the left side by Bussey III to tie the game 2-2.
 
The Patriots opened up a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Bunn, freshman left fielder Adrian Nina, and junior third baseman Jimmy Koza crossed home plate.
 
The Bulldogs went on to score seven runs between the sixth and seventh innings to put the Patriots in a 9-5 deficit.
 
With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Oakley cut the lead back to 9-6 as he scored on a wild pitch. Bunn, with a 1-0 count, then homered deep over the left-centerfield wall to plate three runs to put the game in a 9-9 deadlock.  
 
Barton answered with another four-run inning in the eighth that gave the Bulldogs enough room to hold on to their 13-9 advantage.
 
Senior shortstop Rayth Petersen (0-1) picked up the pitching loss after two innings of work in relief of senior second baseman Owen Taylor, who also threw two innings and struck out three.
 
Senior right-handed hurler Daniel Barcena made his third start for FMU, throwing five innings and striking out four.
 
Brady Dunlop (3-0) was awarded the win after entering the contest following Bunn's home run that tied the game 9-9 and retring the side.
 
 
 
Barton College 13, Francis Marion Univ. 9 (Feb 23, 2025 at Florence, SC)
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Barton College...... 011 004 340  - 13 16  2      (9-7, 4-2 CC)
Francis Marion Univ. 101 300 400  -  9  5  2      (11-4, 2-4 CC)
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Pitchers: Barton College - Matthew Rivers; Ryan Gordon(4); Nick Napolitano(7); Brady Dunlop(7); A.J. Campbell(8) and Chase Waddell. Francis Marion Univ. - Daniel Barcena; Braxton Elms IV(6); Owen Taylor(6); Rayth Petersen(8) and Caleb Oakley.
Win-Brady Dunlop (3-0)  Loss-Rayth Petersen (0-1)  T-3:34  A-187
HR FMU - Austin Bunn (5).
Weather: 59, Sunny, winds 9 MPH WSW
Elms IV faced 3 batters in the 6th.
R. Gordon faced 1 batter in the 7th.