AIKEN, S.C. - The fifth-ranked Francis Marion University softball team opened its season with three wins, including a 2-1 victory over 12th-ranked Kutztown University, Saturday (Feb. 7) at the Early Bird Tournament in Aiken.

Francis Marion also defeated Erskine College 7-3 and Limestone College 14-2.

The 3-0 Patriots will conclude the two-day event by playing the University of Charleston (W.V.) on Sunday at 10 a.m. and Limestone again at 2 p.m.

In the opener against Kutztown, junior lefty Michaela Wolf picked up the win.  She also aided a two-run FMU first with an RBI double.  Jessica Birchmeier moved to third on the hit and then scored on a passed ball.  Wolf then did the rest by making those two tallies stand up.  She allowed only three hits and a lone third-inning run.

Against Erskine, senior outfielder Lakyn Bendle, junior third baseman Kat Beauvais, and senior Tamela Bell all collected two hits and Wolf (2-0) again earned the pitching win.

Freshman righty Lauren Bubeck picked up her first collegiate pitching win against Limestone, and fellow freshman Ashley Jaramillo hit a grand slam home run.  Bell also homered and doubled in the third contest.