AIKEN, S.C. – Despite scoring four runs in the final two frames, Francis Marion University was unable to comeback from an early deficit in a 9-4 loss at USC Aiken on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 3) in non-conference baseball action.
Francis Marion (2-1) returns to Sparrow Stadium for a three-game series with West Liberty this weekend on Feb. 6-8 as FMU celebrates Homecoming.
Sixth-year outfielder
Daniel Hussey finished 2-for-4 at the plate, while junior second baseman
Brandon Vargas registered a multi-hit performance (2-for-4) with one run scored. Additionally, senior outfielder
Riley Orr launched a three-run blast in the eighth and junior redshirt
Zander Buchan hit a solo homer in the ninth.
USC Aiken improved to 3-0 overall following six shutout innings from starter Brady Dunlop.
The Patriots left seven Pacers stranded on base in the opening three innings of the game. In the bottom of the first, FMU escaped a bases-loaded jam before a heads-up play in the second frame forced an inning-ending double play after a USCA runner left early on a potential sacrifice fly. Despite keeping the contest scoreless, Francis Marion was held without a hit through the opening three frames.
In the bottom of the fourth, USC Aiken brought across six runs with two outs, highlighted by a bases-loaded clearing triple by Maverick Grigsby. The Pacers added to their lead in the sixth inning with back-to-back RBI singles with two outs before registering an unearned run in the seventh, 9-0.
Francis Marion found a late spark in the top of the eighth after Vargas led off with a double before redshirt junior first baseman
Charlie Bussey III recorded an infield single. With two outs, Orr launched a three-run homer to right field, his first of the year, to cut into the deficit, 9-3. In the ninth, Buchan scored the final run of the contest with a two-out solo homer to right field, as FMU fell by a 9-4 margin.
Junior right-handed pitcher
Eze Rojas suffered the loss (1-1) after allowing six runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks in 2.2 innings pitched. Senior
Roman Edwards (1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB) and redshirt freshman
Owen Powell (1.2 IP, 1 SO) each delivered scoreless relief appearances in the loss.