FLORENCE, S.C. – Freshman pinch-hitter Josh Lovvorn hit a three-run double in the top of the ninth inning to rally Lander University to a 6-5 win over 15th-ranked Francis Marion University, and the Bearcats pounded out 19 hits in game two to win 16-10 and sweep Sunday's Peach Belt Conference baseball doubleheader. (Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box)
FMU, which won Saturday's series opener with a ninth-inning rally, drops the series two-games-to-one and falls to 20-9 overall and 7-5 in the PBC. Lander improves to 12-13 and 4-5.
In game one, Lander rallied against FMU closer Zach Farry (3-1), who entered the game with a 1.99 earned run average and eight saves. With one out, Farry hit TJ Guinan and Brooks Arnette and AJ Nunziato followed with singles to load the bases. Lovvorn then laced his game-winning hit to center field.
FMU loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth on two walks and a hit batter, but relief pitcher Tim Rau struck out Chris Hutto and Ryan Hewitt to end the game. Lander righty Craig Roberson got the win, while Rau earned a save.
Junior catcher Jared Barkdoll led FMU at the plate with three hits, two runs batted in, and a run scored. Freshman first baseman Preston Shuey added to his team-leading RBI total with a solo homer and a run-scoring double.
Malcolm McLeod, Robert Skinner, and Arnette all had two hits for Lander in the opener.
In game two, Lander scored once in the first, three times in the second, and eight times in the fifth frame to take a 12-0 lead. Rau got the win in game two as he pitched the final four innings, while FMU sophomore lefty Cory Deering (3-3) was tagged with the loss.
The two teams combined for 38 hits in game two. Francis Marion reserves Josh Smith, Jeff Felten, and Chris Honeycutt came off the bench to record three hits apiece. Smith and Felten both drove in two runs as did right fielder Shawn Summers.
McLeod ended his productive day with a 4-for-6 performance in the second game that included two runs scored and five RBIs. Guinan also had four hits in game two while driving in three runs. Skinner was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two driven in.
FMU will play host to Chowan University on Thursday at 7 p.m., while Lander plays at local rival Erskine College on the same day at 3 p.m.
