AUGUSTA, Ga. – Francis Marion put three across the plate in the top of the third thanks to two Augusta State errors, and the Patriots never looked back en route to a 4-1 Peach Belt Conference victory Saturday at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
FMU (13-9, 5-5 PBC) kept getting runners on base all game long, but strong situational pitching by the Jaguars (8-14, 1-9 PBC) kept them off the board for most of the game.
A missed grounder and dropping pop fly gave the Patriots the early 3-0 lead. ASU got a run in the bottom of the third as Caleb Saggus singled, moved to third on a failed pickoff attempt by the pitcher, and scored on Kevin Dodson's RBI single.
Jeffrey Stoner (3-1) tossed eight innings, giving up eight hits and the one unearned run. He walked three and struck out 10 for the Patriots. Jarrott Hooks threw a scoreless ninth for his third save.
Dylan Wall (0-3) took the hard-luck loss for the Jags in his first start back after dealing with an injury. The junior transfer from South Georgia gave up nine hits in five innings of work, but exhibited great finesse with runners in scoring position.
Five Jaguars notched a hit, with Dodson's RBI and Saggus' run leading the offense.
Justin Appel gunned down the only two FMU runners to attempt a steal for a solid day behind the plate.
The same two teams return to the field for a PBC doubleheader Sunday, March 11 at Lake Olmstead Stadium. First pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m.
