LOCAL REPORTS
FLORENCE – Francis Marion pounded out 28 hits, and the Patriots put together two strong relief outings en route to a doubleheader sweep of King Saturday in the Pepsi Cola Pop-Off Series.
FMU piled up 16 hits to win 11-4 in Game 1. The Patriots scored two in the second inning, three in the third to claim a 5-1 lead.
Matt Rubino went 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Nicholas McGee hit a two run homer and drove in three in the game.
Matt Kelley (1-1) took over the pitching duties in the third and struck out seven in 6.1 innings to pick up the win.
In Game 2, Rubino went 2-for-4 with an RBI as FMU won 7-5. Four Patriots had multiple hits. J.D. Crowe hit a home run in the seventh.
Fernando Pinillos struck out seven in 5.2 innings. Jimmy Lindberg picked up the save.
FMU pitchers fanned 23 King batters in the doubleheader.
The three-game weekend series will conclude on Sunday at 1 p.m. on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium.