Batters sweep doubleheader

Michael Hawkins, Associate Athletic Director for Communication|February 25, 2017

Five Francis Marion University pitchers allowed only nine hits and two runs as the Patriots swept a non-conference baseball doubleheader from Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) 11. FMU won the opener 3-1 and took the second game 8-1.

Francis Marion upped its record to 6-0 with the three-game weekend Pepsi Pop-Off Classic sweep of the Warriors (1-6).

In the opener, freshman right-hander Sam High (1-0) earned the win with six strong innings. He allowed only five hits and one unearned run. He struck out four. Freshman southpaw Garrett Wilson and sophomore righty Cole Hinnant combined on three scoreless innings of relief work with Hinnant earning his second save of 2017.

After the Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, FMU answered with two runs in the second frame. Senior second baseman Antonio Pino delivered a run-scoring single and freshman third baseman Harris White drove home the go-ahead run with an RBI ground out. Pino also plated the final run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.

Junior first baseman Trey Chapman and senior shortstop Zach Callahan led the Patriots with two hits apiece.

SWU lead-off man DiMarkus Sanders was 2-for-4 with a run scored and senior right-hander JJ Julian (0-2) was the losing pitcher.

In the second contest, SWU again took a 1-0 lead in the first. FMU again responded in the second frame scoring six runs, that included a pair of two-run doubles by Hinnant and junior left fielder Brooks Kennedy. Callahan drove home one of two Patriot tallies in the fifth with an infield grounder.

Junior designated hitter Tee DuBose and junior catcher William Robbins led FMU at the plate with three hits each, and Kennedy, Callahan and junior outfielder Reese Cooley each rapped out two hits.

Junior righty Austin Hawley (2-0) pitched 5.2 innings, allowing only three hits while fanning seven. Freshman right-hander Christian Umphlett retired all four batters he faced to close out the seven-inning second game.

Sanders was 1-for-3 and also scored Southern Wesleyan’s run in game two. Sophomore righty Josh Antwine (0-2) started for SWU and took the loss as he pitched two innings and gave up six runs.