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FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University freshman right-hander Katie Carnes pitched a no-hitter and singled in a run as the Patriots blanked Fairmont State University 2-0, Saturday afternoon (March 10) on the first day of the Patriot Invitational Tournament at Freedom Florence. FMU beat Queens University of Charlotte 7-2 in its second game of the day.
FMU extended its winning streak to eight games and improved to 19-7. The tournament will conclude on Sunday with games at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The Patriots will play 17th-ranked Bloomsburg University at 1 p.m. and Fairmont State again at 3 p.m.
In Saturday's first game, Carnes (8-2) allowed only one base runner, a hit batter with one out in the fourth inning. She struck out seven and needed only 78 pitches to record her first collegiate no-hitter.
FMU scored once in the second frame to take a 1-0 lead. Junior third baseman Tristan Faile singled to right center field, moved up to second base on a wild pitch, and came around to score on Carnes' RBI single through the right side.
The Patriots doubled their margin in the fifth. Freshman catcher Krissy Longstreet singled up the middle to lead off the inning. Sophomore shortstop Lindsey Brown reached on an error to put runners at first and second. Sophomore right fielder Sara Broderick then bunted back to the pitcher. She beat the throw to first base for an infield hit, and when the throw got away at first base, Longstreet continued around third to score the second tally.
Both Broderick and Longstreet, along with senior second baseman Ashley Jaramillo, all had two hits in the game.
Righty Chelsea Cobb (2-2) took the loss for Fairmont State (3-5).
In the second contest, Francis Marion broke open a tight game with four runs in the top of the sixth to claim the 7-2 win. Sophomore righty Taylor Luff (5-2) earned the win, while senior Kayla Ellingsen finished up with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief to earn her first save of 2012.
Brown was 3-for-4 in game two, while five Patriots registered two hits apiece: senior first baseman Megann Sallinger, sophomore left fielder Jazz Holliday, Broderick, Jaramillo, and Faile.
Faile had a two-run double, while Broderick and senior center fielder Destinea Schneider had run-scoring singles, all in the decisive sixth inning.
Queens' shortstop Amanda Meade hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, while center fielder Whitney Britt had two hits in the game. Starter Amanda Rodriguez (0-4) was tagged with the loss as the Royals fall to 9-14.
Francis Marion Univ. 2, Fairmont State Univ. 0 (Mar 10, 2012 at Florence, SC)
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Francis Marion Univ. 010 010 0 - 2 9 0 (18-7)
Fairmont State Univ. 000 000 0 - 0 0 2 (3-5)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion Univ. - Katie Carnes and Krissy Longstreet. Fairmont State Univ. -
Chelsea Cobb and Brittany Williams.
Win-Katie Carnes (8-2) Loss-Chelsea Cobb (2-2) T-1:31 A-67
Weather: Clear, Sunny, 62 degrees
Francis Marion Univ. 7, Queens U. Charlotte 2 (Mar 10, 2012 at Florence, SC)
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Francis Marion Univ. 012 004 0 - 7 15 1 (19-7)
Queens U. Charlotte. 001 100 0 - 2 6 1 (9-14)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion Univ. - Taylor Luff; Kayla Ellingsen(5) and Olivia Ferguson.
Queens U. Charlotte - RODRIGUEZ, Amanda; GOODMAN, Jennifer(6); MEDLIN, Lauren(7) and
HARRELL, Brittany.
Win-Taylor Luff(5-2) Save-Kayla Ellingsen(1) Loss-RODRIGUEZ, Amanda(0-4) T-2:15 A-73
HR QUSB12 - MEADE, Amanda (1).
Weather: Clear, Sunny, 62 degrees
Carnes is congratulated by her teammates after throwing a no-hitter on Saturday
