FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University pounded out 30 hits, including a five-hit performance by senior first baseman Luke Ogletree, as the 10th-ranked Patriots swept a non-conference doubleheader from Claflin College 21-2 and 10-0, Sunday afternoon (April 24) in baseball action.
FMU concludes its regular season with a 34-14-1 mark, one win shy of the school record for victories in a season (35-13 set in 1988). Claflin ends its year with a 25-26 record.
Ogletree was five-for-five with four runs scored and two runs batted in during the opener, while sophomore right fielder Nick Stewart was three-for-three with two runs scored and five RBIs. Patriot leadoff batter Omar Quiles also collected three hits (in six at bats) and scored twice and drove in two runs.
The Patriots recorded 22 hits to give sophomore right-hander Brooks Sinquefield (4-5) an easy win. FMU scored 10 runs in the fourth frame. Claflin lefty Lance Miller was charged with the loss after he allowed 10 earned runs in 3.1 innings.
The Panthers got two hits apiece from center fielder Eric Jordan (2-4) and left fielder Brandon Moody (2-3). Ryan Stein and Johnathan Ritter collected the two Claflin RBIs in the fifth inning.
In the second game, Francis Marion southpaw Lee Tabor upped his record to 9-3 with five scoreless innings. He allowed only two singles by center fielder Dustin Walters in the third and fifth innings.
FMU senior center fielder Quentin Davis was two-for-two with a run-scoring triple and a sacrifice fly. The three-bagger moved him into sole possession of fourth place on the Peach Belt Conference all-time list for triples with 13. In the first game, he moved into sole possession of fifth place on the PBC's career list for stolen bases (72).
Patriot left fielder Owen Brittle tallied two doubles in three at bats, scored once, and drove in two runs. Junior right fielder Stan Markle capped the scoring with a solo home run in the sixth inning. Francis Marion took advantage of nine walks issued by Claflin hurlers in the second game.
Claflin freshman righty Karl Fultz was the losing pitcher.
Francis Marion must now wait for the announcement of the NCAA Division II national tournament field, to be released on May 15.
