7th-ranked Patriots and Golden Rams split baseball twinbill

FLORENCE, SC - In a battle of two of the three teams tied for seventh in the latest NCAA Division II Top 30 poll, Francis Marion University and West Chester University split a non-conference doubleheader Saturday (Feb. 20).  FMU slugged its way to a 15-10 win in the opener, while the Golden Rams countered with a 12-5 victory in game two.

Francis Marion moves to 7-2 overall, while West Chester is 2-1.  The two teams will conclude their three-game series with a single contest on Sunday at noon.

In the first game, Patriot senior catcher Logan Bland went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, and five runs batted in, while junior first baseman Preston Shuey was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two driven in.  Sophomore outfielder Tyler Boyd was 3-for-4 with three runs scored.  FMU outhit West Chester 18-16.

Both Shuey and Boyd had two singles each in FMU's nine-run second inning that erased an early 2-0 deficit.  West Chester closed to within 12-8, but Francis Marion scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win.  Bland hit a two-run triple to right center and scored on a Josh Biggers' single to left field.

FMU lefty starter Josh Edgin (1-1) was the beneficiary of FMU's hot start.  He allowed six runs on 10 hits in five innings.  Junior right-hander Patrick Mincey pitched the final 3.2 innings to earn his first save as a Patriot.

West Chester southpaw Eric Carmichael (0-1) allowed nine runs on nine hits in only 1.2 innings.

The Golden Rams were led at the plate by first baseman Kyle Orensky, who was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.  Catcher Bob Stumpo collected two hits, including a two-run homer, and drove in three runs. Charlie Kelly and Joe Wendle also homered for West Chester.

In game two, West Chester scored three times in the top of the first to take the lead and sealed the victory with a five-run eighth.  Kelly delivered a three-run homer in that first frame and later added a single and a sacrifice fly.

WCU shortstop Nick Spisak was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBIs.  Right-hander Fred Breidenbach (1-0) threw 5.1 innings and allowed all five FMU runs, while righty Dave Stieg tossed 3.2 scoreless innings to earn a save.

FMU senior righty Zane Petty (0-1) was the loser, allowing four runs on eight hits in five innings.  He left with the Patriots trailing only 4-2, but four FMU relievers allowed eight runs over the final four frame.

Boyd led Francis Marion with three doubles and extended his hitting streak to a season-long nine games.  Right field Alex Lee was 3-for-5, including a two-run homer.  Shuey and third baseman Taylor Norfleet both had two hits in the second contest.