GAFFNEY, SC – Francis Marion University had its offense stymied by a pair of Limestone College pitchers as the Patriots were held to 10 hits while dropping a non-conference softball doubleheader to the Saints, falling 1-0 and 7-1, Tuesday afternoon (March 26).

Francis Marion (22-18) will play host to Lander University for a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader on Friday at 4 p.m.  Limestone evens its season mark at 12-12.

In the opener, Francis Marion was held to three hits by Saints' left-hander starter Chelsea Smith (1-0).  Smith struck out three and walked five.

The Patriots squandered several scoring opportunities as they stranded five runners in scoring position. Junior righty Taylor Luff (12-10) was saddled with the hard-luck loss.  She allowed only five hits, while fanning seven and walking two.

Limestone scored the game's lone run in the fourth frame.  Dallas Heaton led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Jessica Ramsey.

FMU took a 1-0 advantage in the first inning of game two.  Luff reached on a single and two batters later crossed home plate on a double by senior Olivia Ferguson.

However, Limestone's Kelly Shearer (2-0) blanked the Patriots over the final six frames.

The Saints rallied with two runs in the third and five in the fourth.

Both Ferguson and junior Danielle Payne were 2-for-3 in the second contest.  Both of Ferguson's hits were doubles.  Payne (5-7) was tagged with the game-two loss after allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits in four innings. She struck out two and walked two.

Both Ferguson and Payne had one hit in Tuesday's opener.