Florence, S.C.----The Francis Marion University Patriots won a pair of games against visiting Wingate University Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader in NCAA Division II softball action. FMU won the opener 7-5, while prevailing 7-3 in game two to improve to 22-3 overall. The Bulldogs fall to 11-9 on the season.
GAME ONE | Francis Marion 7 Wingate 5
KEY STATS
- FMU out-hit Wingate 9-7
- The Patriots committed three of the four errors in game one
- Each team had three extra-base hits
- Francis Marion left eight on base; Wingate stranded six
- FMU had two of the three stolen bases
- Patriot pitching struck out five and walked two; WU pitching had nine strikeouts and three walks
KEY BULLDOGS
-
Emma Swenson collected a double, triple, two RBI and two runs scored
-
Aubrey Reep went two-for-four with a double and two RBI
-
Gracyn Polk collected a hit and two runs scored
SECOND INNING
- An Addie May two-run double gave Francis Marion the early lead
THIRD INNING
- Polk drew a lead-off walk, then moved to second on an error
- Reep tied it at two with a two-run double to left center
FOURTH INNING
- An error and two singles loaded the bases for FMU; a bases-load walk put the Patriots on top 3-2
FIFTH INNING
- RBI singles from Megan Matsil and Liberty Schultz put Francis Marion on top 5-2
SIXTH INNING
- A Sarah Harkins RBI triple capped the scoring for the Patriots, giving them a 7-2 lead heading to the final frame
SEVENTH INNING
-
Hannah Reeves and
Gracyn Polk started the frame with singles
- Swenson plated them both with a two-run double to left center, then scored on an error to make it 7-5
WRAPUP
- Katelyn Ellard got the win, moving to 13-3
- She allowed five runs on seven hits in seven innings, striking out five and walking two
- Reep took the loss, falling to 6-3
- She allowed six earned runs on nine hits in six innings, striking out nine and walking three
GAME TWO | Francis Marion 7 Wingate 3
KEY STATS
- Francis Marion out-hit Wingate 10-6
- FMU had four of the seven extra-base hits and the lone homer
- Wingate left eight on base; Francis Marion stranded five
- The Bulldogs had the lone stolen base; FMU committed the only error
- FMU struck out three and walked six; Wingate struck out three and walked three
KEY BULLDOGS
-
Mary Claire Coyne had a double, RBI and run scored to lead the Wingate offense
-
Jessica VonCannon and
Rebekah Woods each added a double and an RBI
-
Sam Hogan had a hit and run scored;
Haley Cashwell also scored a run
FIRST INNING
- Francis Marion raced out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first
- Harkins, Matsil and May each contributed RBI singles in the frame
SECOND INNING
- Coyne drew a lead-off walk, then scored on VonCannon's RBI double to make it 4-1
THIRD INNING
- Coyne's squeeze bunt plated Cashwell got get the 'Dogs within two
FOURTH INNING
- Patterson's two-run homer gave the Patriots a 6-2 advantage
SIXTH INNING
- An RBI double from Woods capped the scoring on the day
WRAPUP
- Ellard got the win to move to 14-3, allowing a run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings
-
Raechel Cutcher took the loss, falling to 5-6
- She allowed seven runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking three
UP NEXT
- The Bulldogs have two doubleheaders left on their 14-game road trip
- Wingate is at Mount Olive Wednesday and Belmont Abbey Friday
- The Bulldogs return home Saturday to host UVA-Wise at 1 p.m.
