FLORENCE, S.C. -- Ferrum College dropped both ends of a Conference Carolinas doubleheader to Francis Marion University on Saturday afternoon at Sparrow Stadium, falling 4-3 in game one and 3-2 in game two.

RECORDS
Ferrum 16-22
Francis Marion 34-8

GAME ONE
Ferrum struck first in the opening inning as Tyler Mason singled and later scored on an RBI single from Niko Papathanasiou to take an early 1-0 lead. Francis Marion answered in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run from Riley Orr to jump ahead 2-1. The Patriots added another run in the third inning on a solo home run by Ethan McAnally to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Panthers responded in the fourth inning with timely hitting. Garrett Pancione led off with a single before CJ Kemmerer delivered an RBI base hit to cut the deficit to one. JJ Tyree followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 3-3.

The game remained even until the sixth inning when Francis Marion capitalized on a hit-by-pitch and a balk to move a runner into scoring position. Will Dorrell then came through with an RBI single to give the Patriots a 4-3 advantage.

Ferrum threatened in the seventh inning, putting two runners on base, but Francis Marion's closer shut the door to secure the win.

KEY STATS
Ferrum: Papathanasiou 2-3, 2B, RBI; Pancione 1-3, R, BB; Kemmerer 1-3, RBI; Tyree 1-3, RBI; Mason 1-3, R, SB
Francis Marion: McAnally 2-3, HR, 2 R, RBI; Orr 1-2, HR, 2 RBI; Dorrell 1-3, RBI

GAME TWO
Ferrum looked poised to salvage a split before a late rally lifted Francis Marion to a 3-2 walk-off win in the nightcap. After three scoreless innings, the Panthers broke through in the fourth when CJ Kemmerer singled and later scored on an RBI single from Colin Kim to give Ferrum a 1-0 lead. Francis Marion responded in the bottom half as Charlie Bussey III launched a solo home run to center field, evening the score at 1-1.

The game remained tied until the eighth inning when Ferrum regained the lead. Hunter Carlson doubled to left center and moved to third before Garrett Pancione delivered a pinch-hit RBI single through the left side to make it 2-1.

Starting pitcher Campbell Short was strong throughout, working into the ninth inning while keeping the Patriots off the board after the fourth. However, Francis Marion rallied in its final at-bat. A single and a double put runners in scoring position before an intentional walk loaded the bases. Will Dorrell then delivered a two-run single to left center, completing the comeback and handing Ferrum the 3-2 loss.

KEY STATS
Ferrum: Carlson 2-4, 2B, R; Kemmerer 2-4, R; Kim 1-4, RBI; Pancione 1-1, RBI
Francis Marion: Bussey III 2-4, HR, 2 R, RBI; Dorrell 1-4, 2 RBI; McAnally 1-4, 2B

UP NEXT
Coach Eric Owen's team will look to bounce back next weekend in a three game Conference Carolinas series with Emmanuel College. The series starts on Friday, April17 in Ferrum with the first pitch scheduled for 4 pm.