WILSON, N.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (15-11, 5-9 CC) lost a three-game series against Barton College (14-10, 9-6 CC) at Nixon Field over the weekend. Erskine took the series opener, by a score of 21-9, but were unable to win either of the final two games of the series.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Erskine 21-9 Barton
The Fleet offense came roaring out of the gates, scoring 12 runs in the first three innings, as Dale Francis, Jr. homered twice in the first three frames and Christian Rivera added a big fly as well, helping Erskine take an early 12-2 lead. Ashby Smith cranked a grand slam in the fifth inning, and then Francis, Jr. launched his third homer of the game, with a three-run big fly in the sixth, opening up a 19-7 Fleet lead. Jaden James and Dalton Boyd each added RBI singles late on, as the Fleet offense exploded for a 21-run outburst in the first game of the series.

Game 2: Barton 6-2 Erskine
After a wild series opener, the second game of the set, was much more traditional. But, Dale Francis, Jr. did not cool off at all, as he homered for the fourth time on Friday, cutting the Erskine deficit in half, 2-1, after two innings. But, the Bulldogs scored the next three runs of the game, and took the back half of the doubleheader, 6-2.

Game 3: Barton 13-10 Erskine
In the rubber match of the series on Saturday, Barton took an early 3-0 lead after just one inning. The Fleet got on the board in the second inning with a two-run home run from Dalton Boyd, but Barton hit a two-run home run of their own in the bottom half. Dale Francis, Jr. hit an RBI double in the top of the third, but the Bulldogs offense just kept scoring, meaning the Fleet trailed 7-3 after three innings. Juan Jaime's sacrifice fly in the fourth helped Erskine get closer, and then Ashby Smith added a solo home run in the fifth. Dalton Boyd roped an RBI single into right center in the sixth inning, and after Johnny Hummel stranded a pair of runners in scoring position in the bottom half, Erskine trailed by just two runs heading into the seventh. Logan Piedra and Armando Becerra each drew a walk, bringing Jude Littrell to the plate, representing the go-ahead run. And, Littrell delivered with a clutch three-run home run over the right field fence, giving the Fleet their first lead of the game, 10-9. But, Barton scored three times of its own in their half of the seventh as the Fleet were unable to hang on in the rubber match of a thrilling weekend series.

THE PLAYER
Dale Francis, Jr. went 6-for-10 at the plate over the weekend, totaling four home runs, including a ridiculous three-home run and eight-RBI performance in Game 1 of the series.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine has the upcoming mid-week off, as the Fleet will return home and prepare for a three-game series against Chowan University (3-17, 2-10 CC) this weekend.

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