WINGATE, NC -- Francis Marion University senior catcher Olivia Ferguson tallied four hits and two runs batted in, but the Patriots dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader to Wingate University, 5-2 and 9-5, Friday afternoon (Feb. 15) in women's softball action.

Wingate improves to 8-2 with its fifth straight win, while Francis Marion drops to 8-4.  The Patriots will play host to Belmont Abbey College for a doubleheader on Sunday at 1 p.m.

In the opener, FMU senior third baseman Tristan Faile was two-for-three with a double and two RBIs. Junior right-hander Taylor Luff (5-2) was one-for-three with a run scored, but was tagged with the loss.  She allowed four earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

Wingate junior infielder Hayley Whitley was two-for-two with a homer, two RBIs, and two runs scored in game one.

Trailing 2-0, the Patriots scored twice in the top of the third to tie the score. An error and fielder's choice put the first two runners on base and Faile followed with a two-run double to right center.

The Bulldogs regained the lead in the bottom of the frame when sophomore first baseman Betsy Braswell led off the inning with her second homer of the year, a solo shot to left to make it 3-2.  Wingate added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.

Freshman righty Stacey Houser (3-2) earned the win, with both FMU runs being unearned.

Ferguson was three-for-four with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored in the second contest. Luff went two-for-four with two runs scored, while second baseman Kristie Hanewinckel was two-for-four with an RBI.

Wingate jumped out to a 5-0 advantage by scoring a pair of runs in each of the opening two innings and a single tally in the third.

The Patriots got on the board in the fourth via a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Olivia Zielinski, but Wingate answered back with a solo homer in the bottom of the frame.

The Patriots cut the lead to two with a three-run fifth. Hanewinckel rapped out an RBI single, while Ferguson added a run-scoring double. An RBI groundout from sophomore first baseman Carly Madigan made it 6-4.  Again, the Bulldogs responded immediately, scoring twice in their half of the frame.

Sophomore right-hander Miranda Paul (5-0) allowed three earned runs on 10 hits in seven innings of work, striking out three. FMU junior righty Danielle Payne (2-1) took the loss as she allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits in two innings of work.