Florence, S.C. -- The Francis Marion University baseball team used a five-run seventh-inning to break open a close contest as the Patriots defeated Claflin University 12-5 in a non-conference matchup at Sparrow Stadium on Wednesday (Apr. 4).
The mid-week loss dropped Claflin to 10-22 on the season, heading into this weekend Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) East Division series against Albany State University. The three-game series will be played at Historic Mirmow Field. Action gets underway on Friday (Apr. 6) with a single game at 6 p.m. followed by a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday (Apr. 7), starting at 1 p.m.
Francis Marion, which ended a seven-game losing streak, improved to 13-23 for the season.
The game was close heading into the bottom of the seventh with Francis Marion ahead 7-5. In that half-inning, the Patriots pushed five runs across the plate off five hits for a 12-5 advantage.
Claflin had an opportunity close the gap in the ninth inning, but Cole Hinnant, the fifth pitcher used by Francis Marion in the game, got Grayland Fowler to ground out into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded.
The Panthers finished the game with 10 hits, including a two-run homer from Craig Hopkins. The home run was Hopkins third of the season, pulling Claflin to within 4-2.
After Francis Marion scored three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-2 lead, the Panthers added a run in the top of the third, as Darrell Langston singled with one-out and later scored on a wild pitch. The Panthers trailed 5-3 at that point.
In the fifth inning, Claflin closed the gap to 5-4 as Langston, who had three hits and two runs in the game, tripled to right center with one out and subsequently scored off a RBI sacrifice fly by Fowler.
Francis Marion added a pair of runs in the sixth inning for a 7-4 lead.
Claflin scored its final run of the game in the top of the seventh.
Johnathan Parnell had two hits for the Panthers.
Francis Marion was led by CJ Mackinson with a home run followed by Trey Chapman at 3-4 and 4 RBIs.
Austin Roseberry picked up the win for Francis Marion, while Aaron Perry took the loss for Claflin.