FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University duo of outfielder Charlie Bussey III and left-handed pitcher Aydin Palmer were named National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Southeast Region Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for Week Seven (Mar. 9-15), the organization announced on Wednesday morning.

Bussey III, a native of Graniteville, S.C., posted a .455 batting average with two home runs, two doubles, four runs batted in, six runs scored, and five stolen bases, as the Patriots played four nationally-ranked games last week. He reached base 12 times after going 5-for-11 at the plate and drawing seven walks.

On Tuesday, Bussey III reached base in all five plate appearances after going 2-for-2 with a solo homer, a double, three runs scored, and three walks versus No. 2 Catawba.

In the three-game series against No. 9 Young Harris, he finished 3-for-9 with one homer, three runs batted in, three runs scored, four stolen bases, and four walks. Bussey III hit a go-ahead two-run home run in Game 3 in the bottom of the seventh to clinch the series over the Mountain Lions.

Entering this week, Bussey III leads NCAA Division II in multiple categories, including batting average (.529), hits (54), doubles (16), runs scored (52), and total bases (90). He also ranks second in the country with a .629 on-base percentage and third with 24 stolen bases.

A local product from South Florence High School, Palmer improved to 5-1 on the mound following an impressive 8.0-inning performance in a series-clinching 3-1 win over No. 9 Young Harris on Saturday afternoon in Game 3. He yielded just one earned run on four hits with eight strikeouts and one walk issued. He retired the side in order four times and forced two double plays while facing 26 batters.

The Mountain Lions entered the contest as the second-best hitting team in NCAA Division II (.378 average) and third-best scoring team (12.9 runs per game).

Palmer ranks second in the Conference Carolinas with 44 strikeouts while sitting third with five victories.

The Patriots hold a 21-6 mark and rank No. 14 in the latest D2 Baseball and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) national polls. Francis Marion continues Conference Carolinas play this weekend at Emmanuel University with Game 1 on Friday at 5 p.m., followed by the doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. 

Palmer is majoring in business administration and is a product of South Florence High School. Bussey III is pursuing a bachelor's degree in sport management and is a product of Aquinas High School.

      
  Charlie Bussey III                Aydin Palmer