YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Hudson Graham and two relievers tossed a three-hit shutout as the Young Harris College baseball team recorded a 12-0 Peach Belt Conference victory over Francis Marion University Saturday (March 18) afternoon at Zell B. Miller Field.

The Mountain Lions improved to 8-13 overall and to 3-5 in the Peach Belt after its third consecutive win - all against PBC opposition, while the Patriots slumped to 19-7 and 3-5. It was also the second shutout for the Mountain Lions in their past three games. The teams wrap up their three-game series Sunday (March 19) at 1 p.m.

Graham (1-2) allowed just three hits in 7 2/3 innings with three strikeouts as the Mountain Lions only allowed two runners to reach second base all game. Graham walked three and hit four batters, but was able to work around them as the Young Harris defense turned three double plays. Chris Noonan got the final out in the eighth inning before Jared Campbell pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The YHC offense accounted for 17 hits against four Francis Marion pitchers. Every starter in the lineup had at least one hit with Rudy Gaona and Tyler Washington leading the way with three hits apiece. Zach Odom, Zach Beggs, Zach Wall, and Luke Miller registered two hits each.

The Mountain Lions scored three runs apiece in the first, second, third and fifth innings. Gaona, Washington and Miller tallied two-out RBI singles in the first inning off FMU starter Garrett Wilson (4-2).

YHC added three runs - all unearned - in the second as the Mountain Lions took advantage of a throwing error by the Patriots. Wall, Gaona and Miller drove in runs for the Mountain Lions with singles.

Young Harris added to its lead on Beggs' team-leading ninth homer - a three-run shot to right field - in the third inning. It was the third long ball by Beggs against the Patriots. The Mountain Lions closed out the scoring on Brett Westmoreland's bases-clearing double to center field in the fifth.