FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion battled back from a 10-1 deficit with 16 unanswered runs Saturday afternoon to claim a 17-10 Peach Belt Conference victory over Augusta State at Cormell Field.

The Jaguars tagged FMU starter David Walters for five hits and six runs over the first two innings for an 8-0 advantage. After the 28th-ranked Patriots scratched for a run in the bottom of the third, ASU plated two more for a 10-1 lead in the fourth.

Francis Marion, keyed by a grand slam from shortstop Barrett Kleinknecht, answered with six runs in its half of the fourth to get within 10-7. After a run in the fifth cut their deficit to two, the Patriots exploded for eight runs in the seventh to move in front 16-10. Jared Barkdoll had a two-run single and Preston Shuey jacked a three-run homer in the inning.

After racking up 10 runs and 10 hits over the first four innings, the Jags were held scoreless the rest of the way, managing only three hits.

Senior Jorge Virguez and sophomore Tristan Toorie paced ASU with three hits each and Toorie collected three RBI, including a two-run homer in the first inning. Juniors Shannon Wilkerson and Tony Baker booked two hits each.

Martin Gordon collected four hits for FMU and scored three runs while Shuey carded three hits. Kleinknecht drove in six runs and Shuey had three RBI. Gordon, Barkdoll and Jacob Wallace each contributed a pair of RBI.

FMU's Sebie Kirkland improved to 2-0 on the season with three innings of hitless relief. ASU senior lefty Chris Tyler worked the first 4.2 innings, surrendering 10 hits and seven runs. Sophomore righty Scott Strickland (2-5) took the loss, allowing seven runs and eight hits in 2.0 innings. Carl Burrow went the last 1.1 innings for the Jags, giving up a run and two hits.

ASU dropped to 21-25 and 8-11 in the PBC while FMU improved to 27-13-1 overall and 14-9 in the league, one game behind the conference leaders. The two teams conclude their three-game series with a doubleheader on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. on Cormell Field.