AIKEN, SC – Senior shortstop Jessica Hogan drilled a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning to give Francis Marion University a 5-3 season-opening win over Chowan University, Saturday afternoon (Feb. 5) at the Early Bird Softball Tournament in Aiken.

The Patriots' (1-0) second game of the day was cancelled because of wet field conditions.  FMU will play Barton College on Sunday at 10 a.m. and the University of Charleston (W.V.) at noon.  Both of those games were moved up two hours from previously announced starting times.

Hogan, senior outfielder Chelle Phillips, and sophomore catcher Olivia Ferguson were all 2-for-5 in the marathon contest that lasted three-and-a-half hours.  Phillips had a double and drove in two runs, while Ferguson also had a double.

Junior right-hander Kayla Ellingsen (1-0) recorded the complete-game victory.  She allowed eight hits, struck out five, and walked five.

FMU scored once in the top of the first and twice in the fourth frame to take a 3-0 lead.  Chowan scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to tie the contest.

FMU freshman Lindsey Brown was on second in the 10th inning by way of the tie-breaker scoring rule, and following a ground out, Hogan stroked the game-winning hit.

      Jessica Hogan