PEMBROKE, NC – Junior right-handed pitcher Taylor Luff tossed a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts and also had two hits and scored once to lead Francis Marion University to a 2-1 victory over third-ranked Kutztown University, Sunday (Feb. 10) at the UNCP Invitational Softball Tournament.

FMU junior righty Danielle Payne followed Luff's performance with a four-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over Fayetteville State University in the Patriots' second contest on Sunday.

The two victories up Francis Marion's record to 8-2.

In the Sunday's first game, Francis Marion took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Luff singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a two-out RBI single by sophomore first baseman Carly Madigan.

FMU doubled the margin in the sixth frame as Madigan reached on an error and came around to score on junior center fielder Olivia Zielinski's two-out single down the left field line.

Luff (5-1) kept Kutztown (3-2) off the scoreboard until the last of the seventh when a pair of doubles broke up the shutout.  However, with the tying run in scoring position, Luff induced a groundout to second base to end the game.

She did not walk a batter while fanning the dozen Kutztown batters and was named to the All-Tournament Team.  In six appearances this season, the Bonneau, S.C., native has struck out 56 batters in 37.2 innings.

Payne (2-0) struck out six and walked two, while scattering four hits.  She received all the runs she needed in the top of the first when senior third baseman Tristan Faile laced a two-out two-run double to right center field.

At the plate, Payne also registered a single in the seventh inning.

Francis Marion will travel to Wingate University on Wednesday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.