FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University baseball coach Art Inabinet has announced that right-handed pitcher Richard Purvis of Harleyville has transferred to FMU from USC Salkehatchie.

        Purvis, 5-11 and 190 pounds, played one season at USC Salkehatchie for head coach Joe Baxter.

        He is a 2003 graduate of Holly Hill Academy, where he played under the direction of coach Al Hay.  As a prep player, he was twice named an all-star performer on the diamond and on the football field, and he earned 12 combined letters in baseball, basketball, and football.

        “Richard is a big strong player that has a live arm,” Inabinet said.  “He has a fastball that clocks in the mid 80’s.  He also arrives at FMU with a year of college experience under his belt, and I am excited about the chance to work with him.”

        Francis Marion finished the 2004 campaign with a 29-17 record, a season-ending six-game winning streak, and a fifth-place finish in the Peach Belt Conference standings.

        FMU previously announced the addition of six newcomers for the 2005 campaign, all South Carolina natives.

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