FLORENCE, S.C. – Shepherd (4-5) dropped a 3-2 decision to Francis Marion (8-6) in baseball action at Francis Marion on Tuesday night.

The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the first inning behind an RBI-double by Todd Maddox and added a run in the second on an RBI-double by Isaac Shuck. 

Shepherd answered back in the third when junior outfielder Sam Daggers (Galloway, N.J./Absegami/Rowan Gloucester CC) doubled and later scored on a single by junior third baseman Ryan Haddaway (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville). 

Will Hardee led off with a double and later scored on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the third to give Francis Marion a 3-1 lead. 

The Rams added a run in the fifth as senior outfielder Brennan Holmes (Ona, W.Va./Cabell Midland) led off with a single and scored on a double by Daggers.

Junior first baseman Ross Mulhall (Morgantown, W.Va./University/Gardner-Webb) posted a 3-for-4 effort to pace the Rams. Senior catcher Zach Doss (Waldorf, Md./North Point/Maryland) and Daggers each added a pair of hits. 

Hardee went 4-for-4 to lead an 11-hit attack for Francis Marion. Tyler Reynolds and Mattox each had two hits. 

Shepherd recorded a triple play in the game as Shuck lined into a 4-3-5 triple play in the bottom of the sixth. 

Matt Dooley (2.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 0 BB) (2-0) gained the win for the Patriots. Nick Palumbo (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB) earned the save. Graduate student pitcher Austin Crebs (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Central Catholic/Fairleigh Dickinson) (3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 K, 2 BB) (1-2) took the loss. Redshirt-senior pitcher Nick Trabacchi (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West/UMBC) (5.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB) pitched scoreless ball in relief. 

The two teams return to action on Wednesday for a 1 p.m. contest.