FLORENCE, S.C. – Right-hander Josh Bagley struck out seven and surrendered just six hits over his second career complete game performance, but fifth-ranked Francis Marion utilized a pair of unearned runs in the first inning to slip past No. 7 UNCP in the front half of a series-opening doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Cormell Field.

The setback snapped a seven-game winning streak for the visiting Braves (33-8, 13-8 PBC), as well as put an end to a five-game Peach Belt Conference winning streak as well. The triumph was the 15th win in the last 17 outings for Francis Marion (31-10, 14-5) who also stretched its winning streak out to five games as well.

Brad Bridgeman collected two of the five hits on the day for the Braves, who also got safeties from Keith Whitman Eitan Maoz and Joe Mangum. Buddy Sosnoskie drove in a run on a 2-for-3 showing for the Patriots who also got a hit from four other players as well.

Bagley (4-3) turned in one of the better outings of his career, but saddled the tough-luck loss anyway after falling victim to a pair of errors in the bottom of the first. Don Sandifer (9-2) scattered five hits and struck out eight over his sixth complete game of the season to grab the win for the hosts.

Brock McCallister legged out an infield single with one out in the first, and then moved within 90 feet of home plate a short time later on a failed pickoff attempt by Bagley. A RBI single by Sosnoskie, as well as a costly two-out throwing error by the UNCP infield, would, inevitably, lead to all the scoring in the contest.

The Braves put a runner aboard in eight separate frames, but were unable to find the follow-up hit to invoke any damage. UNCP would go on to strand six runners on the paths in the contest, including five in scoring position. After yielding both runs in the opening frame, Bagley was on top of his game for much of the next seven innings of work, including retiring the sides in order in four of those frames.