FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion won its third consecutive 8-0 game over Augusta State on Sunday afternoon to complete the Peach Belt Conference series sweep at Sparrow Stadium.
The Patriots (25-16, 17-9) capitalized on an ASU (10-33, 3-21) infield error in the first inning to score two unearned runs off Jaguars starter Phil Dukes. Dukes (2-1) was pulled after one inning of work to get the loss, allowing two hits for two unearned runs.
FMU's offense was alive early as they tacked on three runs in the second and three more by the fourth inning to sweep the series with the Jags. Jamie Suggs tossed 0.2 innings for ASU, surrendering two hits for three runs (one earned) before Aaron Lewis and Clint Echols saw limited action out of the bullpen. Dylan Wall had the heaviest load on the mound, tossing 5.0 innings to give up six hits for two runs.
Gary Ashcraft (5-4) earned the win in 6.0 innings in his start for the Pats. Ashcraft gave up all of ASU's three hits and struck out seven. Justin Turberville, John Rossi, and Jeffrey Stoner all threw an inning in FMU's win.
The Jags made five errors in the game resulting in FMU earning five runs of their eight scored. Stephen Tarkenton went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs and Cole Morris (2-for-3) and Will Chandler (2-for-4) each scored a run while Chandler notched an RBI. ASU's three hits came from Bradley Dennis (1-for-4), Hunter Boose (1-for-3) and Kevin Dodson (1-for-3).
ASU will wrap up the 2013 Outback Cup with USC Aiken on Wednesday, April 24 for a single game at 6:30 p.m.