FLORENCE, S.C. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (1-3) held the lead on two separate occasions Friday afternoon, but could not hold on as the Wasps fell to Francis Marion University (5-0) in game one of a three-game series. The Patriots earned the win by a 7-4 final tally. 

The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Francis Marion 7, Emory & Henry 4
LOCATION – Florence, South Carolina
VENUE – Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (1-3, 0-0 SAC); Francis Marion (5-0, 0-0 Carolinas)

How It Happened
The Wasps wasted no time as they opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. Fifth-year shortstop Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) reached on an error and moved up to second on a bunt single from fifth-year second baseman Triston Hensley (Covington, Va.). Both runners advanced on an error by the pitcher and senior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) plated Foley with an RBI groundout to give E&H the early 1-0 lead. The Patriots responded in the bottom of the first as leadoff batter Rayth Petersen launched a solo home run to left field to knot things up at 1-1.

After a scoreless second inning, FMU jumped ahead in the bottom of the third. The Patriots utilized one hit and an E&H error to score a run and take a 2-1 lead. Both teams were held in check for the following two innings, but the Wasps got back on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth. Hensley and senior designated hitter Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) recorded back-to-back one-out singles and Hensley stole third base to set the stage. Bebber laced an RBI single to left-center field to score Hensley then Smith followed suit one batter later as he raced home on a throwing error by the FMU first baseman. Junior right fielder Isaiah Bracy (Henrico, Va.) drew a walk to put Bebber in scoring position and fifth-year catcher Camden Bailey (Sterling, Ill.) delivered an RBI single to center to score Bebber and give the Wasps a 4-2 advantage.

FMU had an answer once more in the home half of the sixth as the Patriots loaded the bases on a double and a pair of walks, then scored once on a bases-loaded walk to draw within one at 4-3. Petersen came up clutch with a bases-clearing three-RBI single to right-center field to put the home team on top 6-4. The Patriots added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning and the bullpen posted three consecutive shutout innings to take game one of the series by the 7-4 final.

Rijnaldo Euson earned the win on the mound for FMU after allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits while striking out seven batters over six innings. Sophomore reliever Jacob Iverson (Fort Mill, S.C.) suffered the loss for E&H as he surrendered a pair of earned runs on three walks and just one hit in .2 innings. Josh Adams threw 2.2 scoreless innings in relief for the Patriots while fanning four batters to earn the save. Junior Jacob Nester (Hillsville, Va.) received a no decision despite another strong outing as he scattered four runs, three earned, and six hits while striking out four FMU batters in five innings on the hill. Bebber paced the Wasps' offense with a pair of RBIs on one hit. Hensley had a pair of hits to go along with his stolen base while Smith, Bailey and sophomore third baseman Jack Ferguson (Abingdon, Va.) accounted for the other Emory base knocks. 

Up Next
Emory & Henry will wrap up the three-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader against the Patriots. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Florence, South Carolina. 

--E&H--