FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University duo of redshirt junior outfielder Charlie Bussey III and redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Robbie Jordan earned National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Southeast Region Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for Week Twelve (Apr. 13-19). It is the second time this season Bussey III has garnered the accolade.

Bussey III was previously tabbed as the Southeast Region Player of the Week for Mar. 9-15.

The native of Graniteville, S.C., Bussey III batted a staggering .700 (7-for-10) with four homers, nine RBIs, 14 runs scored, 10 walks, and two stolen bases in a 3-1 week for the sixth-ranked Patriots. He also slugged an impressive 1.900 with a .870 on-base percentage. Bussey III also eclipsed the FMU all-time home run record with 31 career blasts.

He reached base five times after going 1-for-1 with a solo homer, three runs scored, three walks, and a hit-by-pitch in a 12-2 midweek victory over No. 22 Wingate University.

In the series win over Erskine College, Bussey III went 6-for-9 with three home runs, 8 RBIs, 11 runs scored, seven walks, two hit-by-pitches, and one stolen base.

Bussey III leads NCAA Division II in multiple categories, including batting average (.503), hits (90), runs scored (94), on-base percentage (.614), and total bases (161). He also ranks fourth in the country with a .899 slugging percentage and 48 walks.

Jordan, a native of Florence, S.C., retired the first 11 batters he faced, including seven strikeouts, en route to recording his nation-leading 10th win over the No. 22 ranked Bulldogs. He tossed 102 pitches and allowed only six hits and did not walk a batter, while matching a career-high with 11 strikeouts. The lone run he surrendered was in the eighth inning with the Patriots already on top 12-0.

 He also improved upon his school record for career wins, moving to 31-8 in 58 appearances.

The Patriots, now 37-10, remained No. 6 in the latest American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) rankings and No. 8 in the D2 Baseball poll. FMU will close the regular season by traveling to King University for a three-game conference series with Game 1 on Friday at 2 p.m. before the two sides play the doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.

Bussey III is pursuing a bachelor's degree in sport management and is a product of Aquinas High School. Jordan is majoring in general business and is a product of Florence Christian School.

  
        Charlie Bussey III             Robbie Jordan