FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University tallied the second-most runs in a single game in program history on Saturday (Feb. 7) following a dominant 28-5 victory over West Liberty University at Sparrow Stadium in non-conference baseball action.
The Patriots improve to 4-1 overall and extend their winning streak in home games to 17-straight. West Liberty drops to 0-2 this year in their 2026 season-opening series. The two sides will meet tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m. for the final contest of the three-game set.
FMU tied for the second-most runs in program history with 28 runs, which was last achieved in 2016 in a 28-9 win over College of Saint Rose. Additionally, the Patriots tied for the second-most walks in a single game after drawing 18 on Saturday.
Redshirt junior first baseman
Charlie Bussey III delivered another stellar performance at the plate after finishing 3-for-5 with one solo homer, four RBIs, four runs scored, three walks, and a stolen base.
Florence native and junior second baseman
Jake Hardee went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, while freshman catcher
John Lupienski finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Senior third baseman
Will Dorrell went 2-for-2 with a solo homer, two RBIs, two runs scored, two walks, and one stolen base.
On the mound, redshirt senior right-handed pitcher and Florence native
Robbie Jordan (2-0) earned the victory after yielding just four hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 5.0 scoreless innings. Sophomore righty
Tyler Skeen secured his first save of the season after surrendering one run on two hits with one strikeout in 3.0 innings pitched.
In the bottom of the second frame, the Patriots established a 4-0 edge, highlighted by a two-run single through the left side by Bussey III.
Francis Marion continued to add to its lead in the bottom of the third after redshirt junior catcher
Zander Buchan laced an RBI double to center field, followed by an RBI single from junior second baseman
Brandon Vargas, 7-0.
The Patriots tallied another run via a sacrifice fly by sixth-year center fielder
Daniel Hussey in the fourth before erupting for five more runs in the fifth. Dorrell and Bussey III delivered back-to-back solo homers as FMU's lead climbed to 13-0.
The Hilltoppers answered back with four runs, all with two outs, to cut into the deficit in the top of the sixth, 13-4. Francis Marion immediately countered in the bottom half of the frame as RBI singles by junior designated hitter
Ethan McAnally, Hardee, and Lupienski to extend the lead to 17-4.
The Patriot lead ballooned to 23-4 in the seventh inning following six runs on three hits, highlighted by a two-run double to left center by Lupienski. In the eighth, FMU scratched across five more runs after capitalizing on three errors by West Liberty, 28-4. The Hilltoppers scored the final run in the ninth inning as Francis Marion captured the 28-5 win.
