Florence, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped the final two games in the series to the Francis Marion Patriots on Saturday evening in 7-3 and 6-5 final scores.
The Warriors recorded five hits in the first game of the afternoon. Cam Mitchem led the team with two hits. Mitchem, Clifton Olmstead and Justin Purdom all homered in the game. Steven Mufareh started on the mound and pitched 6.2 innings while striking out three batters. George Schodowski, Josh Fenten and Josiah Sizemore all came in to pitch in relief.
Southern Wesleyan totaled nine hits in the second game of the evening. Both Clifton Olmstead and Travis Hammond led the team with two hits. Cam Mitchem hit a grand slam home run and went on to lead the team with four of the five RBIs. The Warriors walked six times and stole four bases. Hammond led the team with two stolen bases while both Marty Grisso and Jackson Mix had solo steals. Mikah Gustavson started on the mound and pitched four innings while striking out two batters. Andrew Patterson and George Schodowski came in to pitch in relief. Patterson led the team with four strikeouts.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Francis Marion 7, Southern Wesleyan 3
Game Two Final: Francis Marion 6, Southern Wesleyan 5
Records: Southern Wesleyan (12-22 / CC 7-11) Francis Marion (18-19 / CC 11-10)
How It Happened
Game One
The Warriors struck first as Clifton Olmstead hit a home run 371 feet over the left field wall to put Southern Wesleyan ahead 1-0.
The extended their lead to 2-0 on a home run by Cam Mitchem in the top of the third inning.
Southern Wesleyan would not relent as in the top of the fourth inning with two outs, Justin Purdom drilled the ball 353 feet over the left field wall.
However, Francis Marion was not discouraged as they chipped away at the Warriors lead with runs in the bottom of the fourth, sixth and seventh innings to tie the game up. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with the bases loaded, Schuck homered over the left field wall to give the Patriots a 7-3 run victory.
Game Two
Southern Wesleyan took the first run of game two. Chance Fogel led off with a single to second base and then advance to second on a wild pitch. With one out, Marty Grisso put down a sacrifice bunt to advance Fogel to third. Clifton Olmstead then singled through the left side to bring Fogel in to score and give the Warriors the early lead.
However, the lead was short lived as a single by Crepeau allowed Oakley to score and tie the game up 1-1. Francis Marion pushed on as they extended their lead to 4-1 with runs in the bottom of the third inning.
The Warriors continued to fight back in the top of the fourth inning. Travis Hammond led off the inning with a single up the middle and then advanced to second on a throwing error. With one out, Jackson Mix walked. A wild pitched allowed both runners to advance ninety feet, and then a walk to Chance Fogel loaded up the bases. Cam Mitchem hit his second home run of the series over the left field wall for a grand slam to bring all runners in to score and give Southern Wesleyan a 5-4 run advantage.
Francis Marion fought back as they walked the game off in the bottom of the seventh inning to win in a 6-5 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road on April 5 as they travel to Gaffney, SC to take on the Limestone Saints at 6 p.m. They will then travel to Wilson, NC to take on the Barton Bulldogs on April 7-8. The Warriors will return to Dr. C Keith Connor Field on April 11 to host the Anderson Trojans at 6 p.m. They will then host the University of Mount Olive Trojans on April 14-15.
