By CHRIS WHITAKER
Americus Times-Recorder

FLORENCE, S.C. — Logan Bland blooped an 0-2 pitch to right field to score the winning run as No. 5 Francis Marion beat Georgia Southwestern 4-3 in 10 innings Friday night.

After leaving the bases loaded in the eighth, GSW (25-17, 11-11 PBC) managed one base runner the last two frames as the Hurricanes fell to .500 in conference play. 

Francis Marion (37-10, 15-7) took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from Bland and an error.

GSW tied the game in the third using a Bud Long sacrifice fly and a Zack Stanton RBI-single. Preston Shuey's RBI-single put the Patriots back on top in the bottom half before GSW tied it again in the seventh on a Kevin Carroll RBI-single.

Jared Allen had three hits, including his ninth double of the season to lead GSW, and Carroll and Trent Dooley each had two as the Hurricanes had 11 altogether. Chris Lingham legged out his first triple.

The Patriots had 13 hits, led by Josh Biggers' three; three other Patriots had two, including Bland, who drove in two runs.

Ryan Lackey took a no decision after working 7.1 innings and allowing two earned runs on 11 hits. Corey Hawes (2-1) took the loss, allowing two hits while striking out two and walking two.

Brandon Forshee (3-0) got the win pitching 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit. Starter Josh Edgin lasted six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits.

It was the Hurricanes' ninth game with at least four errors, but only one of the Patriots' runs were unearned.

GSW lost its first game by one run (6-1) and its first extra-inning (2-1) affair of the season. It was the sixth time this season the Hurricanes were held to three runs or less, and it was their second loss (15-2) when the opponent scored five runs or less.

The Hurricanes dropped to 4-13 against ranked opponents.