Junior infielder Aaron Knowles was three-for-five with a double, RBI and a run scored to lead the Wingate offense. Senior infielder Ryan Hypke led the Francis Marion offense with three hits and a run scored.

The Patriots got on the board in the top of the first inning on an RBI single from junior designated hitter Jared Barkdoll.   The Bulldogs responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, with junior outfielder Nick Siega-Riz scoring on an RBI groundout from freshman first baseman Heath Weatherford to tie the game at one.

Francis Marion posted another run in the second on an RBI double from senior infielder Greg Phelps to make it 2-1.  Phelps extended his latest hitting streak to 10 games.

Wingate again had the answer, plating two runs in the bottom of the second. Knowles got it started with an RBI single to tie the game. Junior designated hitter Dustin Hurdle put the Bulldogs on top with a sacrifice fly, making it 3-2.

The Bulldogs added to their lead in the fourth, with Knowles leading off the inning with a double, then scoring on an RBI single from junior catcher Blair Troutman.  Wingate added another insurance run in the seventh when freshman outfielder Cale Rogers scored on an RBI fielder’s choice from Siega-Riz, making it 5-2.

The Patriots got a run in the top of the eighth on an RBI single from freshman outfielder Vince Farfaglia to cut the lead to two.  Wingate freshman right-hander Cameron Falcon was able to hold the Patriots scoreless for the last inning and a third, picking up his first save of the year. Falcon did not allow a hit while striking out two.

Senior right hander Ed Paul (3-3) took the loss for FMU, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one in 1.1 innings of work.

Francis Marion returns to action Saturday, when they host a doubleheader against Georgia College & State University, starting at 1 p.m.