FLORENCE, SC – Junior right-handed pitcher Taylor Luff and sophomore righty Katie Carnes combined to allow only five hits as Francis Marion University swept a non-conference doubleheader from local-rival Coker College, winning 1-0 and 2-0, Thursday afternoon (Feb. 21) in women's softball action.

Francis Marion ups its record to 10-4, while Coker drops to 4-4.

The Patriots will travel to Florida this weekend to play in the Saint Leo Challenge.  FMU will open play against Florida Southern College on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Luff (6-2) tossed a three-hitter in game one with 15 strikeouts, while Carnes (2-1) allowed only two hits in the second contest.  Luff's strikeout total was the highest for a Patriot pitcher in 13 seasons dating back to a 17-strikeout effort by Heather Johnson against Tusculum College on March 5, 2000.

Junior shortstop Lindsey Brown plated the only tally in the opener with a one-out run-scoring double down the right field line in the fourth frame.  Her hit scored freshman outfielder cat Zalud, who one batter earlier lined a double just over the third base bag – her first collegiate hit.

Coker junior Lauren Phillips (2-2) took the loss in game one, despite allowing only five hits.

FMU scored twice in the bottom of third to win game two.  Luff led off the inning with a triple to right field that eluded a diving Cobra outfielder and rolled to the warning track.  Kristie Hanewinckel followed with a squeeze bunt that gave Francis Marion a 1-0 advantage. 

Patriot senior third baseman Tristan Faile doubled to right center, advanced to third on a single by senior catcher Olivia Ferguson, and scored when Ferguson was caught in a run-down attempting to steal second.

Faile finished the afternoon 4-for-6, including three hits in game two.  Luff ended her day 3-for-6 at the plate.

Freshman Breanna Skipper (2-1) took the loss in the second game.

Coker shortstop Jaclin Poole had one hit in each game.

GAME ONE

Francis Marion Univ. 1, Coker College 0 (Feb 21, 2013 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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Coker College.......    000 000 0 -  0  3  3      (4-3)
Francis Marion Univ. 000 100 X -  1  5  1      (9-4)
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Pitchers: Coker College - Lauren Phillips and Stacy Burr. Francis Marion Univ. - Taylor Luff
and Olivia Ferguson.
Win-Taylor Luff (6-2)  Loss-Lauren Phillips (2-2)  T-1:27  A-380
Weather: Sunny 48 degrees

GAME TWO

Francis Marion Univ. 2, Coker College 0 (Feb 21, 2013 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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Coker College.......    000 000 0 -  0  2  0      (4-4)
Francis Marion Univ. 002 000 X -  2  9  1      (10-4)
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Pitchers: Coker College - Breanna Skipper; Lauren Phillips(4) and Stacy Burr.
Francis Marion Univ. - Katie Carnes and Olivia Ferguson.
Win-Katie Carnes (2-1)  Loss-Breanna Skipper (2-1)  T-1:30
Weather: Mostly Sunny, 57 Degrees