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FLORENCE, SC- Right-handers Kayla Ellingsen and Katie Carnes pitched complete games and each helped their own cause with run-scoring hits as Francis Marion University swept a non-conference softball doubleheader from Mars Hill College, winning 7-5 and 5-2 on a chilly Sunday afternoon (Feb. 12).

Francis Marion improves to 6-0, while Mars Hill drops to 5-3.  The Patriots will play host to Wingate University for a twinbill on Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Ellingsen (3-0) scattered 11 hits, struck out three, and walked three as FMU won the opener 7-5.  At the plate, the senior was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a run driven in.

Sophomore left fielder Sara Broderick led FMU with a 3-for-4 first game, while junior third baseman Tristan Faile joined Ellingsen with two hits. 

Junior catcher Olivia Ferguson drilled a two-run double off the left field fence as FMU batted around and scored five times in the bottom of the first inning.  The Patriots led 7-3 entering the seventh inning, but Mars Hill scored twice and loaded the bases before Ellingsen coaxed a short fly out and a strike out to end the game.

Losing pitcher Taylor Morris (3-1) and second baseman Shaundee Woosley each had three hits and two RBIs for Mars Hill in the first game.

Carnes (2-0), a freshman from Pageland, tossed a four-hitter as FMU prevailed in game two 5-2.  She fanned seven and issued no walks, while rapping out an RBI single in the fifth inning.

Each team scored once in the first frame of game two and the Lions took a 2-1 lead in the third. The Patriots answered with two runs in the fourth frame.  Ferguson, who moved to right field for the second contest, drilled a 3-2 pitch from righty Taylor Hussey (1-2) off the left field foul pole for her first homer of the season, and second career longball in 104 games.  Four batters later, junior outfielder Jazz Holliday poked an RBI single through the right side to give FMU a 3-2 advantage.

Francis Marion added single runs in the fifth and six innings to finish out the 5-2 victory.

Holliday, a native of Florence, was 3-for-3, while Faile finished the second game 2-for-3.

Center fielder Natalie Haithcox (2-for-3) was the lone Lion with multiple hits in game two.  First baseman Robyn Stanek drove in both Mars Hill runs.

Former Francis Marion softball players in attendance were introduced between games of the Alumni Weekend doubleheader.