FLORENCE, S.C. – Junior All-American right-hander Dylan Owen tossed an eight-hitter, while striking out 11, to lead 29th-ranked Francis Marion University to a 7-1 win over UNC Pembroke, Saturday afternoon (March 31) in the opening game of their Peach Belt Conference baseball doubleheader. UNCP, behind the pitching of Cody Crotts and Brian Willis, earned a split with a 3-2 win in game two.

Francis Marion is now 24-14 overall and 9-11 in the PBC, while UNCP stands at 22-14 and 6-14. The two squads will complete their three-game series with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Owen improved to 6-1 as the Patriots scored four runs in the seventh inning to break open a close game. Sophomore Jared Barkdoll paced FMU with a 3-for-3 effort that included a solo home run, a double, and two runs scored. Third baseman David Bounds was 2-for-3, including a run-scoring single in the fifth inning that snapped a 1-1 tie and a run-scoring single in the seventh frame. 

FMU junior shortstop Greg Phelps was 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot and also drove in a pair of runs.

Center fielder Kevin Dietrich drove in the lone Brave run, which was unearned, with a single in the top of the fifth. Three Braves; Jason Morales, Chris Beck, and Josh Bentley, all had two hits in the opener. Dave Cockroft (3-2) took the loss as he allowed 11 hits and six runs in 6.1 innings.

Both teams scored in their half of the first frame in game two. The Braves broke the tie with a two-run third inning as Morales and Jeff Adams both delivered run-scoring singles. Morales finished the contest with his second two-hit game (2-for-4) of the day.

Francis Marion got one run back in the fourth inning when first baseman Andy Howes walked with the bases loaded. However, Willis (4-2) induced Phelps to hit into an inning-ending force out stranding three runners on base. The Patriots stranded two more runners in the sixth inning when Willis got Ryan Hypke and Ryan Hewitt to fly out.

Third baseman Taylor Norfleet stroked two of FMU’s four hits. Junior left-hander Brandon White (0-3) took the loss.

Crotts pitched the first 3.2 innings, while Willis finished up the seven-inning game.