Sandifer sparkles in debut, Patriots win 10-1

FLORENCE, SC - Freshman right-hander Don Sandifer made his collegiate debut by allowed only one run on three hits in six innings as seventh-ranked Francis Marion University defeated St. Andrews Presbyterian College 10-1, Tuesday night (Feb. 16) in non-conference baseball action.

FMU improves to 5-1 with its 11th straight home win at Cormell Field.  St. Andrews falls to 0-7.

Sandifer, a product of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, allowed two hits and one run in the top of the first, but then settled down and retired 14 consecutive batters before allowing a single in the sixth inning.  He struck out four and walked no one, while throwing only 65 pitches.  Four Patriot relievers combined for three shutout frames following Sandifer.

FMU senior shortstop Barrett Kleinknecht was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while homering for the third time in the past four games.  Senior catcher Logan Bland was 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs, while senior center fielder Martin Gordon was 2-for-4 with a run scored - which occurred when he stole home in the fourth inning.

Second baseman Brooks Arnette ripped a two-run triple in the eighth inning, and first baseman Preston Shuey plated two runs with a single and a bases-loaded walk.

Left fielder Manny Williams and third baseman Charles Weber both went 2-for-4 to pace the Knights.  St. Andrews' lone run came home on a sacrifice fly to deep left field by Michael Cantwell.

Junior righty DJ Turpin (0-1) allowed seven runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings and was tagged with the loss.

#7 Francis Marion Univ. 10, St. Andrews Pres. Co 1 (Feb 16, 2010 at Florence, SC)