FLORENCE, SC – Junior second baseman Ashley Jaramillo drove in four runs with a pair of doubles as Francis Marion University blanked Pfeiffer University 6-0 en route to a sweep of Sunday's (April 10) non-conference softball doubleheader.  Junior right-hander Kayla Ellingsen recorded the win in both games as the Patriots also rallied to win the opener 4-3.

Playing its final home games of the season, Francis Marion ups its record to 24-19-1, while Pfeiffer falls to 18-28.  FMU will close out its regular season with a Peach Belt Conference twinbill at third-ranked North Georgia College & State University on Monday at 4 p.m.  The Patriots are currently tied with USC Aiken for the final qualifying spot for next week's PBC Tournament at Freedom Florence.

In the first game on Sunday, Pfeiffer grabbed an early lead with three runs in the top of the first inning.  FMU answered with one run in the bottom of the opening frame.  Ellingsen (11-7) relieved FMU senior starter Cea Knox in the second inning and pitched 5.1 scoreless innings.  She allowed only five hits, while striking out nine.

Ellingsen also recorded the big hit of the contest, a two-run double to right in the bottom of the fourth inning that lifted the Patriots from a 3-2 deficit to a 4-3 lead.

Ellingsen finished game one with two hits as did center fielder Destinea Schneider.  Junior first baseman Megann Sallinger was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Third baseman Sarah Waylock led Pfeiffer with a 2-for-4 game that included a double, a run scored, and two driven in.  Right-hander Allison Braswell (7-11) took the loss.

In game two, Ellingsen and Knox combined on a five-hit shutout.  Ellingsen pitched the first four frames, while Knox tossed the final three to earn her second save of 2011.

Francis Marion took advantage of three Pfeiffer errors to score five times in the bottom of the third.  Jaramillo had the big blast – a three-run double to left center field.  Seniors Jessica Hogan and Chelle Phillips also drove in runs with infield grounders.

The sixth Patriot run came in the fourth inning when Jaramillo doubled home freshman Brooke Barnhill.  In addition to Jaramillo, FMU sophomore third baseman Tristan Faile also posted two hits in the second contest.

Pfeiffer second baseman Hannah Jackson was 2-for-3 in game two, while Waylock added another hit.  Shelby Brown (4-7) was the losing pitcher, although four of the runs charged to her were unearned.