Shuey and good pitching lift #21 Patriots to 3-2 win over USCA

FLORENCE, SC – Sophomore first baseman Preston Shuey lined a two-run single to left field in the bottom of the third inning and four Francis Marion University pitchers turned that hit into a game-winner as the 21st-ranked Patriots edged USC Aiken 3-2, Sunday afternoon (March 8) in the third and deciding game of the weekend’s Peach Belt Conference baseball series.

Francis Marion (15-7-1) has opened conference play with three straight series wins and stands in second place at 6-3. USCA falls to 9-11 and 1-5.

Shuey’s hit gave FMU a 3-2 lead. FMU junior southpaw Jeremiah Meiners (3-0) and relievers Brandon Forshee, Shane Gebhards, and Barrett Kleinknecht then blanked the Pacers through the remaining six frames. Gebhards stranded Pacer runners on first and third in the eighth inning and then Kleinknecht pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save of the year.

Shuey and senior third baseman Keon Graves were both 2-for-4 on Sunday, while leadoff man Colby Green was 2-for-5.

USCA designated hitter Travis Howard and left fielder Jamie Benjamin rapped out three hits apiece.

Center fielder Alex Lee gave FMU a 1-0 lead in the second inning when he walked with the bases loaded. USCA claimed a 2-1 advantage by scoring twice with two outs in the top of the third. Alex Franklin doubled home Cody McMorris, and Ken Raborn stroked an RBI-single to left to score Franklin.

Utilizing a single, an infield error, and a walk, Francis Marion loaded the bases in the bottom of third setting the stage for Shuey’s deciding hit.

USCA junior righty Clayton Knight (1-2) was stuck with the loss. Right-hander Beau Hill tossed 5.2 scoreless inning of relief.

Francis Marion will play a road doubleheader against the defending NCAA Division II national champion Mount Olive College on Wednesday at 2 p.m.