FLORENCE, SC – Freshman shortstop Lauren Bessent's grand slam homer over the left field fence in the top of the seventh inning powered Flagler College to a 5-1 game-two win over Francis Marion University and a sweep of their Saturday (April 9) afternoon Peach Belt Conference softball doubleheader.  Freshman Kalyn Loverich and junior Donna Munafo combined on a two-hit shutout as Flagler won the opener 6-0.

Francis Marion falls to 22-19-1 overall and 7-11 in the PBC, while Flagler improves to 37-13 and 11-7.  FMU hosts Pfeiffer University on Sunday at noon for a Senior Day twinbill and then closes out its regular season slate with a PBC doubleheader at third-ranked North Georgia College & State University on Monday afternoon.

The Patriots are currently tied for seventh in the PBC standings with the top eight schools qualifying for next week's conference tournament at Freedom Florence.

In Saturday's first game, Loverich (13-4) pitched four hitless innings before giving way to Munafo, who earned her second save of 2011.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Cea Knox and Tricia Sizemore tallied FMU's only hits with back-to-back infield singles.  After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, Munafo got out of the jam with a strike out and a ground out.

Knox (11-10) was the losing pitcher as she allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits in six innings.

Flagler second baseman Alona Personius was 2-for-4, including a two-run homer – her ninth of the year.  Third baseman Tori Jolley was 3-for-4 with an RBI.

In the second contest, Flagler took a 1-0 advantage in the top of the second on a solo homer by Breezy Collings to straight-away center field. 

The Patriots rallied to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth.  Senior left fielder Chelle Phillips singled and moved to second on a wild pitch.  Pinch-hitter Jessica Hogan, seeing her first action after breaking a bone in her hand several weeks ago, singled and went to second as Phillips drew a throw to third base.  Pinch hitter Ashleigh Sammut then walked to load the bases with one out.   After a strikeout, FMU starting pitcher Kayla Ellingsen lined an RBI single through the left side.

The score remained deadlocked until the top of the seventh.  A hit batter, a walk, and a single to left by catcher Katelyn Guinsler loaded the bases with no outs.  After a pinch hitter popped out, Bessent lined the first pitch over the left field fence.

FMU did managed a pinch-hit single by Sara Broderick and a single by freshman right fielder Brooke Barnhill in the bottom of the seventh, but righty reliever Kelly Riddick (15-4) struck out the next batter and then right fielder Robyn Draper made a diving catch in right center to end the game.

Riddick pitched three scoreless frames to earn the win.  Ellingsen allowed the five runs (all earned) on six hits in a complete-game effort.  She struck out seven and walked two.

FMU center fielder Destinea Schneider was 2-for-4 in game two, including a double.  Barnhill's hit extended her modest hitting streak to five games.

Bessent and Guinsler both had two hits for Flagler in the second contest.  Guinsler was 2-for-3 with an RBI in game one as well.

       Brooke Barnhill