Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Baseball team hosted Francis Marion University this weekend in Conference Carolinas play. The Lions got off to a strong start, taking game one from the Patriots, 5-1. The momentum continued in the Lion's favor in game 2, as freshman, Hunter Pirkle pitched a complete game shutout to give the Lions a 4-0 victory. In game three, the Lions bats were hot, and Emmanuel got the series sweep, winning game three, 11-2. 
 
GAME ONE –
 
The Patriots struck first in game one, scoring a run in the 2^nd inning on two hits to take a 1-0 lead. 
 
The score stayed that way until the bottom of the 4^th when the Lions answered back. Thomas Collins started things off with a single to shortstop. Brock Wollin followed that up by reaching on a fielder's choice, with Collins getting thrown out at 2^nd. Brody Campbell also reached on a fielder's choice with Wollin getting thrown out at 2^nd. Nick Dietsch however, delivered with a 2-run home-run to score Campbell and give the Lions a 2-1 lead. 
 
It was a pitcher's duel until the 8^th when the Lions opened things up.  Wollin started things off reaching on an error, advancing to 2^nd. Campbell got on base with a walk and Nick Dietsch delivered again with runners in scoring position, hitting a single to score Braeden Evanson (pinch runner for Wollin) and Dee Oliver (pinch runner for Campbell). Hayden Beall kept things going for the Lions with a single to right. A sacrifice fly would score Dietsch to make it 5-1, Lions, which would be the final score. 
 
At the plate, Nick Dietsch had 2 hits and 4 RBI's on the night. 
 
On the mound, Barrett Barkley got the nod, going 4 innings. He gave up one run on three hits and struck out four batters. Chase Lupton came in next, pitching 3.0 innings. He gave up one hit and struck out two batters. Dosie Drakeford relieved him, pitching 1.0 innings and walking one batter. Clifford Brown closed out the game for the Lions, going 1.0 inning and striking out two batters. 
 
GAME TWO – 
 
The story of game two, was freshman pitcher, Hunter Pirkle who was dealing on the mound. Pirkle pitched a complete game shutout, throwing 7 scoreless innings and striking out 6 batters. 
 
The Lions got on the board in the bottom of the third. Ryan Muniz reached on an error and advanced to 2^nd on a ground-out. Muniz would go onto steal third and score on an error by the catcher to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. 
 
The Lions added to their lead in the bottom of the 4^th. Brock Wollin was hit by a pitch, and advanced to third on a double by Brody Campbell. Nick Dietsch picked up where he left off yesterday with a 3-run home-run to give the Lions a 4-0 lead. 
 
Both teams would threaten to score the rest of the way, but 4-0 would be the final score. 
 
At the plate, Nick Dietsch's home-run was the difference as the Lions outhit the Patriots, 3-2. 
 
On the mound, Pirkle pitched a complete 7.0 innings, giving up just two hits. He struck out 6 batters and walked one. 
 
With the win, the Lions improved to 20-14 on the season.
 
GAME THREE – 
 
The Lions got on the board early in game three. Hayden Beall hit a single to center to start the bottom of the 2^nd, advancing to 3^rd on an error. Ryan Muniz singled to right to score Beall and give the Lions a 1-0 lead. Bailey Stroud kept things going with a single to center to score Muniz, making it 2-0, Lions. 
 
Francis Marion got a run back in the top of the 5^th, scoring a run on two hits, to make the score 2-1, Lions. 
 
In the bottom of the 6^th, the Lions answered with a run of their own. Zachary Bergstrom walked to start the inning. Muniz walked to put runners on first and second. Dobbs Bowden took advantage with a single to right field to score Bergstrom and give the Lions a 3-1 lead. 
 
After nothing going for Francis Marion in the top of the 7^th, the Lions opened things up in the bottom half of the inning. Jesus Cruz walked to start the inning. Brock Wollin and Brody Campbell walked as well to load the bases for Beall.  Beall reached on an error, to score Cruz and Wollin to make it 5-1, Lions. After a walk to Bergstrom, Muniz tripled to clear the bases and give the Lions a 8-1 lead. Bowden kept things going with a single to left to score Muniz and give the Lions a 9-1 lead. 
 
The Lions added to their lead in the bottom of the 8^th. Thomas Collins walked to start the inning. Wollin was hit by a pitch to advance Collins to 2^nd. Campbell walked to load the bases. Beall delivered, singling to left to score Collins and give the Lions a 10-1 lead. A wild pitch would score Braeden Eavenson (pinch runner for Campbell) to make it 11-1, Emmanuel.
 
The Patriots added a run on three hits in the top of the 9^th to make the final score, 11-2, Emmanuel. 
 
At the plate, Ryan Muniz was 2-2, with 4 RBI's and scoring 2 runs. 
 
On the mound, Ethan Pooler got the start. He went 4.1 innings, giving up a run on 4 hits. He struck out five batters. Noah Cantleberry earned the win, pitching 2.2 innings and striking out one batter. Simon Boggie came in next, pitching an inning and giving up one hit, with one strikeout. Colby Fields closed out the game throwing an inning and giving up one run on three hits. 
 
With the win, the Lions improve to 21-14 on the season. Next up, the Lions will host Chowan University on Friday, April 5 at 1PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.