FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University first baseman Charlie Bussey III was selected as the Conference Carolinas baseball Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 2-8.

A native of Graniteville, S.C., Bussey III hit .467 with seven hits, nine runs batted in, and 11 runs scored in four games last week. He also accounted for two doubles, one triple, and one home run for a slugging percentage of .933.

In back-to-back games against West Liberty, the preseason All-American went 3-for-5 in each game, driving in four in each. He scored three runs and ripped a double and a triple in the opening game before scoring four runs, walking three times, and ripping a double and a home run in the second. He closed the week by scoring three runs and earning two walks in the series finale against West Liberty.

Through the opening two weeks of the season, Bussey III has batted .350 with nine RBIs, eight walks, and four stolen bases. He ranks third in the nation with 14 runs scored through six games played.

The Patriots started the 2026 campaign with a 5-1 overall record while boasting a top-five scoring offense in NCAA Division II, averaging 13.7 runs per game. FMU also ranks among the top 10 in the country in doubles per game (3.00), runs (82), stolen bases (21), and on-base percentage (.498).

Francis Marion hosts Coker University on Tuesday at 4 p.m. before beginning Conference Carolinas play this weekend (Feb. 13-14) with a three-game series at Chowan University.

Bussey III is majoring in sport management and is a product of Aquinas High School.


  Charlie Bussey III