Jones Sets "K" Mark and Shuts Out PC 3-0

FLORENCE, SC - Francis Marion University sophomore right-hander Erin Jones won his nation-leading 12th game of the year and established a new FMU single-season strikeout record as he shutout Presbyterian College 3-0, Tuesday evening in a contest that lasted only two hours.

Jones improves to 12-5 with his 10th win in his last 11 decisions. His 12 victories lead all divisions of the NCAA. Tuesday night, he struck out 10 Blue Hose batters to run his season total to 102 (in 111.2 innings), smashing the school record of 94 set by teammate Fletcher Kemp in 2000. His 11 complete games lead the Peach Belt Conference.

Francis Marion pushes its record back above the .500 mark at 25-24, while Presbyterian drops to 21-26.

FMU left fielder Jimbo Watson scored the only run Jones would need when he scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman Quentin Davis in the bottom of the second inning.  Watson accounted for the other two Patriot runs in the third frame when his two-out triple scored Bert Rollins and Mark Ford. Watson finished the night two-for-four with a run scored and two runs batted in. 

Both squads recorded six hits. Four of the FMU safeties were for extra bases.  Presbyterian's best scoring opportunity came in the fifth inning when Kenny Campbell hit a leadoff double. Following a strikeout, he moved to third on a groundout. Jones then stranded him there as he fanned pinch-hitter Brian Prahl.

Jones threw only 96 pitches and did not issue any walks. Blue Hose freshman righty Jake Lunnen (1-5) was charged with the loss despite allowing only six hits in six innings.