GREENVILLE, SC – Senior Michael Ward drove in three runs with a single and a bases-loaded walk in the first two innings to lead 26th-ranked Francis Marion University to a 14-5 victory over Newberry College, Tuesday night (April 17) in non-conference baseball action.

The Patriots (30-15) pounded out 16 hits and took advantage of six walks and six Newberry errors to post their fourth 30-win campaign in the past five years. FMU plays a three-game Peach Belt Conference series at North Georgia College & State University, Saturday and Sunday.

Ward’s two-run single staked Francis Marion to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. After Newberry scored once in the bottom of the first frame, FMU tallied seven runs in the second inning and two more in the third to lead 11-1.

Junior right-hander Cole McKellar (7-3), the first of a pre-determined five-man pitching rotation for the night, was credited with the win.

Junior outfielder Justin Greene and reserve infielder David Bounds each had three hits for FMU and drove in one run. Sophomore catcher Jared Barkdoll was 2-for-5 with two RBIs while extending his hitting streak to 12 games. Third baseman Taylor Norfleet was also 2-for-5 and drove home two runs.

First baseman Clark Mullins paced Newberry (19-28) with his 3-for-4 night that included two RBIs. Newberry starter Dale Bennett (3-4) was tagged with the loss.