FLORENCE, S.C. – Sophomore Taylor Norfleet bounced a two-out, two-run single through the left side giving 29th-ranked Francis Marion University the lead for good and reliever Cole McKellar tossed 6.1 shutout innings as the Patriots downed UNC Pembroke 6-3, Sunday afternoon (April 1) in the rubber game of their Peach Belt Conference baseball series.

With the much-needed series win, Francis Marion improves to 25-14 overall and 10-11 in the PBC. Norfleet, Jared Barkdoll, and Greg Phelps all had two hits for the Patriots.

McKellar (5-3) entered the game after UNCP had taken a 3-2 lead in the top of the third inning. He finished the game, allowing only four hits and missing the strike zone on only 23 of 83 pitches.

FMU used a sacrifice fly by Michael Ward in the first and an RBI ground out by Ryan Hewitt in the second to take a 2-0 advantage. UNCP answered in the top of the third with an RBI ground out by Cameron Penny and run-scoring singles by Chris Beck and Derek Funk to grab a 3-2 lead.

Norfleet’s hit in the last of the frame gave FMU the lead back at 4-3. Barkdoll added a solo home run in the fifth and Justin Greene doubled home a run in the seventh to complete the scoring.

UNCP shortstop Jason Morales and Beck paced the Braves’ (22-15, 6-15) hitting attack with three hits apiece. Both Kevin Dietrich and Funk collected two hits as UNCP out-hit the Patriots 11-7, but stranded 10 runners.

Braves’ starter Jordan Carter (2-5) allowed all six runs (all earned) in 6.1 innings and was tagged with the loss.

FMU plays host to Limestone College on Wednesday 5 p.m., while UNCP travels to Catawba College on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. contest.