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FLORENCE, SC - Francis Marion University wasted a one-hit pitching performance in game one and a comeback effort in game two as the Patriots fell twice to sixth-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University, 1-0 and 7-6, in the opening games at the new FMU Softball Stadium on Tuesday evening (April 17).

Sophomore Taylor Luff (9-6) was handed the game-one loss for the Patriots (31-17, 8-10) despite dominating in the circle for seven innings. She gave up only one hit and struck out a career-high 13 Pirates. Megan Barnwell (20-3) got the shutout victory, scattering four hits and striking out seven.

With the game-one victory, Armstrong (43-8, 19-1) clinched the Peach Belt Conference regular-season crown.

The lone run of the game came in the top of the third inning when Ashley Schwab scored with two outs, after the inning was extended by two FMU errors.  The Patriots put the tying run on base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh after a single from freshman Krissy Longstreet, but Barnwell coaxed a line out to end the game.

The afternoon's second game saw the Patriots fall behind 3-0 in the first inning, highlighted by a RBI-double by Baillie Temples high off the center field fence.

Trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Francis Marion exploded for a five-spot.  Senior Kayla Ellingsen led off the inning with a single, followed by senior Destinea Schneider reaching on a fielder's choice and putting runners at first and second with no outs.  After Sara Broderick reached on an error to load the bases, junior catcher Olivia Ferguson plated Ellingsen with a sacrifice fly to center, inching the Patriots closer 5-2. 

The big hit of the inning, in which FMU batted around, came from Longstreet who poked a single to right field that drove home two runs.  That hit scored junior Jazz Holliday and senior Ashley Jaramillo to put the Patriots on top 6-5.

The Pirates quickly answered with a three-run top of the sixth frame, leapfrogging the Patriots to take back the lead 7-6, which they would hold on to for the win.

Freshman Katie Carnes started for the Patriots but lasted only two-thirds of an inning before being relieved by Ellingsen who went 4.2 innings and scattered ten hits and allowed three runs.  Luff came on for the final 1.2 innings and once again was saddled with the loss.

FMU pounded out eight hits in the nightcap led by Longstreet's 2-for-3 day, as well as Holliday's 2-for-4 output.  Armstrong racked up 14 hits in the second game of the double dip.  Barnwell earned the game-two win in relief.

FMU travels to 11th-ranked North Georgia College & State University on Thursday at 6 p.m. for a doubleheader to close out its Peach Belt Conference season. The Patriots will then travel to Columbus, Ga., this weekend for the PBC tournament.

#6 Armstrong Atl. St. U 1, Francis Marion Univ. 0 (Apr 17, 2012 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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Armstrong Atl. St. U  001 000 0 -  1  1  0      (42-8, 18-1 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 000 000 0 -  0  4  2      (31-16, 8-9 PBC)
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Pitchers: Armstrong Atl. St. U - Megan Barnwell and Ashley Buckett. Francis Marion Univ. -
Taylor Luff and Olivia Ferguson.
Win-Megan Barnwell (19-3)  Loss-Taylor Luff (9-5)  T-1:54  A-111
Weather: Partly Cloudy 85 degrees

#6 Armstrong Atl. St. U 7, Francis Marion Univ. 6 (Apr 17, 2012 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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Armstrong Atl. St. U  300 013 0 -  7 14  2      (43-8, 19-1 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 001 050 0 -  6  8  4      (31-17, 8-10 PBC)
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Pitchers: Armstrong Atl. St. U - Caitlin Campbell; Megan Barnwell(5) and Ashley Buckett.
Francis Marion Univ. - Katie Carnes; Kayla Ellingsen(1); Taylor Luff(6) and Olivia Ferguson.
Win-Megan Barnwell(20-3)  Loss-Taylor Luff(9-6)  T-2:21  A-0
Weather: Partly Cloudy 86 degrees