Earlier in the day, UNC Pembroke beat Coker College 1-0 on a combined no-hitter by Justin Yow and Ryan Kirkman, and Lander University rallied from a three-run deficit to beat St. Andrews Presbyterian College 6-3.

In the nightcap, FMU improves to 5-1 while keeping Anderson winless at 0-6.

The four-day event will continue on Saturday with UNCP playing Anderson at noon at FMU and the Patriots hosting St. Andrews at 3 p.m.  In Hartsville, Coker entertains Brevard College at noon and Lander plays Brevard at 3 p.m.

Senior center fielder Justin Greene led FMU with a 3-for-4 night that saw him drive in two runs and score twice.  Senior shortstop Greg Phelps was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Sophomore left-hander Cory Deering (2-0) allowed only three hits and an unearned run in seven strong innings.  He fanned five and walked no one.

Righty Chris Pitts (0-2) took the loss for Anderson, although only one of the five runs he allowed in his six innings was earned.  He struck out seven Patriots.  Both Alex Roberson and Trent Still went 2-for-4 to lead the Trojans at the plate.  Still drove in one of the Anderson runs.

Francis Marion erupted for four runs in the bottom of the third frame.  Aided by an infield throwing error, Phelps and Greene produced identical bloop RBI singles to short right center field.  After loading the bases, the Patriots scored the other two runs on an RBI fielder’s choice grounder by Keon Graves and a throwing error on the same play.

The teams traded single runs in the middle innings and FMU led 5-1 going into the eighth inning.

Still plated Anderson’s second run with a single up the middle in the eighth to draw the Trojans to within 5-2.  However, Francis Marion scored twice in the bottom of the frame.  Greene delivered an infield RBI single and Phelps later scored on a wild pitch.