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BURLINGTON, N.C. — Top-seeded N.C. Wesleyan College defeated sixth-seeded Ferrum College 10-8 on Saturday night to advance to Sunday’s USA South Conference championship against Shenandoah University.
Ferrum (14-15), however, didn't go down without a fight. The Panthers closed a five-run gap to only two runs thanks to a Justin Franklin three-run homer to left-center. Yet, it wasn't enough in the end as N.C. Wesleyan (23-16) eliminated the Panthers.
N.C. Wesleyan trailed 3-1 after two innings, but the Bishops plated three runs in the fourth inning to go ahead 4-3. Two of the runs came on Justin Rahm’s homer to center field.
Ferrum answered in its half of the inning to tie the game at 4-4.
The Bishops, who went back in front with a run in the fifth inning, added some more distance with four runs in the sixth. Justin Batts’ three-run homer gave N.C. Wesleyan a 9-4 advantage.
Five Bishops finished with at least two hits, including Justin Tuck, who was 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
Jesse Fuller and Kevin Marshall each had a pair of hits for Ferrum, including one home run apiece.
The Bishops won back-to-back games Saturday evening to earn the right to face Shenandoah at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The Hornets crushed N.C .Wesleyan 17-5 in seven innings when they met earlier in the tournament.
