No. 29 Patriots Continue Hot Hitting, Storm Pirates 14-4

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Mid-40 degree temperatures and wind chills into the 30s did nothing to cool off the No. 29-ranked Francis Marion bats as the Patriots pounded out 19 hits in a 14-4 Peach Belt Conference baseball victory over host Armstrong Atlantic State on Sunday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The teams were supposed to play two games on Sunday, but weather delayed the start of game one for two and a half hours, so the series will wrap up with a single game on Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

The Patriots (10-5-1, 4-1 PBC) scored at least one run in innings two through seven, with a six-run seventh inning putting a cap on the win over the Pirates (6-8, 0-5 PBC). 

Barrett Kleinknecht had a second straight outstanding game for Francis Marion, collecting a pair of doubles in a four-hit, four-RBI performance. Keon Graves went 3-for-5, including a towering three-run homer to left field that capped the six-run seventh, while Colby Green added a three-hit day with two stolen bases.

Erik Sommerville (2-1) was the beneficiary of the offensive output as he picked up the win for Francis Marion, allowing 10 hits and four runs in seven innings of work, walking two and striking out two. AASU lefthander Cody Walden (2-1) dropped his first decision of the season after giving up 12 hits and seven runs in five innings pitched, walking four and striking out one.

Senior Kenny Cail led the Pirates offensively with three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Josh Wilson, Juan Dorado and Drew Carnes each collected two hits apiece.