FLORENCE, S.C. – Senior first baseman Andy Howes singled, doubled, scored one run, and drove in another to help seventh-ranked Francis Marion University to a chilly 4-2 win over local-rival Coker College on the final day of the 2007 Gerald Griffin Baseball Classic (PBC-CVAC Challenge), Sunday night (Feb. 11).

Senior catcher Michael Ward also had a pair of hits for Francis Marion (4-2) which rapped out four doubles and a triple, all of which figured in the Patriots’ scoring.

Right fielder Steven Evans was 2-for-4 for Coker (1-7), including a solo home run in the eighth inning. That drive followed a sacrifice fly by Brian Nally and helped cut a four-run FMU lead in half.

Senior right-hander Brooks Sinquefield pitched a scoreless ninth inning, with two strikeouts, to earn his first save. FMU lefty starter Michael Williams (2-0) tossed six shutout innings, allowing only three hits, fanning seven, and walking two.

Coker starter Seth Weinberg (1-1) gave up three runs in four frames and was the loser.

The Patriots scored single runs in the second, third, fourth, and sixth frames. Back-to-back doubles by Ryan Hewitt and Howes produced the first run, and Jared Barkdoll doubled home Taylor Norfleet (who had tripled) in the third inning. Justine Greene lined an RBI-double to left field in the fourth, and a two-out infield error by the Cobras accounted for Francis Marion’s final run.

FMU opens Peach Belt Conference play on Saturday with a 2 p.m. contest against Augusta State University. Coker plays at Newberry College, Wednesday at 2 p.m.