In a rivalry series packed with storylines, fireworks, and fine margins, 18th-ranked Francis Marion University stormed to an historic win Friday night before suffering a pair of narrow defeats Saturday to I-95 rival UNC Pembroke. Despite the 2-1 series loss, FMU remains firmly in the top tier of Conference Carolinas with a 32-11 (19-8 CC) record.

Game One: 11-Run First Inning Powers FMU Past UNCP in Offensive Barrage

Francis Marion wasted no time setting the tone in Friday night’s series opener, scoring eight runs before recording an out en route to an 11-run first inning that buried UNC Pembroke early in an 18-11 victory.

The explosive start included an RBI walk, a two-run single from Caleb Oakley, a two-run double from Austin Bunn, and, following a nearly two-hour rain delay, a towering two-run homer by Dariel Villaran Goundis on the first pitch back. Junior Will Dorrell and senior Rayth Petersen added three RBIs apiece, with Petersen collecting four hits in total, tied for the team-high alongside senior second baseman Owen Taylor.

FMU scored in each of the first six innings, with sophomore Charlie Bussey III driving in two in the fifth and Villaran Goundis adding a sixth-inning RBI single. Every starter recorded a hit in the 20-hit outburst.

Senior right-hander Danny Leo earned the win, pitching five strong innings in relief and striking out nine despite giving up four runs.

The victory marked FMU’s 13th straight — the second-longest streak in program history — and was especially meaningful for first-year head coach Jeff Jefferson, who faced his former team for the first time.

Game Two: Stout’s Homer Not Enough in 4-3 Loss

In Saturday’s opener, Francis Marion looked poised to keep rolling. Senior DH Noah Stout launched a three-run homer in the second inning — his second of the series — to give FMU a 3-0 lead.

But the Braves answered quickly, trimming the lead to one in the bottom of the frame and then taking a 4-3 lead in the fourth on a two-run single by Blake Hinson. Despite a complete-game effort from senior left-hander Rijnaldo Euson (9-2), who struck out five and allowed eight hits, FMU couldn’t claw back.

The Patriots managed just one other hit outside of Stout’s blast — a single by senior catcher Caleb Oakley — and were stifled late by UNCP reliever Seth Willis, who struck out seven in three hitless innings for his seventh save.

Game Three: Another One-Run Heartbreaker Ends Streak

The finale followed a similar script: an early Patriot lead erased by a mid-game Braves rally. FMU built a 3-0 cushion in the fourth after Stout and Bunn reached, and junior third baseman Jimmy Koza drove in both with a double before scoring on a UNCP error.

But UNCP responded immediately with a four-run inning of its own and later broke a 4-4 tie in the eighth to take a 6-4 lead. Dorrell kept hope alive with a solo home run in the ninth — his second hit and second RBI of the game — but the Patriots couldn’t find the equalizer.

Senior right-hander Daniel Barcena (3-2) took the loss, allowing three runs and six hits over four innings in relief.

Despite the setback, FMU’s offense continued to flash its depth. Stout recorded multiple hits for the second straight game, and Dorrell reached base three times with two RBIs and two runs scored.