Like Francis Marion Athletics on Facebook

COLUMBUS, GA - Francis Marion University fell behind early and couldn't quite complete the comeback against sixth-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University, falling 7-5 in the opening round of the Peach Belt Conference Softball Tournament, Saturday afternoon (April 21) at Cougar Field in Columbus, Ga.

The Patriots (31-20) scored four runs over the final three innings, including two in the top of the seventh inning on a two-run homer by sophomore outfielder Jazz Holliday, to pull within two runs before the Pirates (44-8) pulled out the victory.  The Patriots have fallen to the Pirates three times in the past five days by a combined four runs.

Senior second baseman Ashley Jaramillo led FMU at the plate with a 3-for-3 day that included a runs scored and a run driven in.  Senior center fielder Destinea Schneider was 2-for-3 with a run scored and one RBI.

The Pirates hopped on top 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning when Heather Walker singled to centerfield off FMU sophomore starter Taylor Luff (9-8) to score Shelby Duff.  Duff was later responsible for a run batted in for Armstrong in the bottom of the second when she grounded out to shortstop to score Celia Blome and double the advantage to 2-0.

Francis Marion cut the lead in half in the top of the third inning when Jaramillo singled home Schneider.  However the Pirates hung a crooked number on FMU in the bottom of the fourth inning when they pushed three runs across the plate, all coming home on a two-out outfield error.

Trailing 5-1, the Patriots chiseled away at the lead in the top of the fifth inning on a solo home run by junior catcher Olivia Ferguson off Armstrong starter Megan Barnwell (21-3).

Armstrong added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning when Duff struck again with a two-RBI triple to centerfield that gave the Pirates a 7-2 bulge heading into the sixth inning.  The Patriots scored a single tally in the top of the sixth inning when Schneider's infield single scored junior Tristan Faile to make the score 7-3.

Holliday's fifth homer of the year in the seventh drew FMU to within 7-5, but after sophomore shortstop Lindsay Brown singled to bring the tying run to the plate, Barnwell retired the next two Patriot batters to end the contest.

Luff worked 4.2 innings in the losing effort, scattering eight hits and giving up seven runs (four earned), while striking out four and walking four.  Senior righty Kayla Ellingsen pitched the final 1.1 innings, striking out two and giving up just one hit.

FMU outhit the Pirates 11-9 as eight of nine Patriot starters registered a base hit.

Francis Marion now must now cling to a slim chance that the Patriots could receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II national tournament.