FLORENCE, SC – Freshman outfielder Cat Zalud's two-run double highlighted a four-run rally as Francis Marion University came from behind for a 5-3 game-two win over Georgia Southwestern State University and a sweep of their Peach Belt Conference doubleheader on Saturday (March 9).  FMU scored twice in the bottom of the seventh thanks to three Hurricane errors to grab a 2-1 victory in Saturday's opener.

Francis Marion improves to 17-7 overall and 5-1 in the PBC.  The Patriots will entertain Columbus State University on Youth Day 2013, Sunday at 1 p.m.  FMU has won five in a row, with three of the victories coming in the Patriots' final at bat.

In game one, FMU was held to one hit through the first six innings by GSW starter Allison Pastor (6-4).  Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the seventh, Danielle Payne led off with a walk. After a line-out, Zalud reached on a throwing error and when the ball was further booted by the right fielder backing up first base, pinch-runner Olivia Zielinski came all the way around to score the tying run. 

Junior right-hander pitcher Taylor Luff followed with a bunt single putting runners on first and second.  A ground out advanced both runners one base, and Zalud came home with the winning run when the Hurricanes' second baseman dropped the throw at first base on Tristan Faile's grounder back to the mound.

Despite only registering two hits, the Patriots took advantage of eight GSW errors in the opener.  Luff (9-5) surrendered five hits, struck out seven, and walked only one.

Pastor took the hard-luck loss as both runs she allowed were unearned.  She also fanned seven and issued one base-on-balls.

Hurricane centerfielder Hayley Knight was 2-for-3 and drove home GSW's lone run with a second-inning RBI single through the left side.  Georgia Southwestern stranded 10 runners in the opener, including six in scoring position.

In the second contest, GSW led 2-1 heading into the bottom of sixth, but FMU rallied for four runs, highlighted by Zalud's big hit that came on a 2-2 pitch after she had fallen behind in the count 0-2.  Luff and second baseman Kristie Hanewinckel followed with RBI hits to complete the frame.

The Hurricanes scored once in the top of the seventh, but FMU hung on for the sweep.  Payne (3-1), who came on in relief of FMU starter Katie Carnes, gave up three hits and one run in 5.1 innings.  She struck out three and walked two.

Hurricane sophomore righty Ashley Cavender (5-4) was tagged with the loss.  She allowed 10 hits and five runs (all earned) in 5.2 innings.  She fanned six and walked one.

Luff, Hanewinckel, Zalud, and senior catcher Olivia Ferguson all had two hits for FMU in the second contest.  Luff, who earlier this season had an 11-game hitting streak, has now hit in five straight games.

Knight was 3-for-4 with a run scored, while GSW first baseman Avery Purser was 2-for-4, with both hits being run scoring singles.

Francis Marion Univ. 2, Ga. Southwestern 1 (Mar 09, 2013 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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Ga. Southwestern.... 010 000 0 -  1  5  8      (16-13, 1-4 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 000 000 2 -  2  2  0      (16-7, 4-1 PBC)
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Pitchers: Ga. Southwestern - Allison Pastor and Nellie Moore. Francis Marion Univ. - Taylor Luff
and Olivia Ferguson.
Win-Taylor Luff(9-5)  Loss-Allison Pastor(6-4)  T-2:06  A-432
Weather: Sunny, 55 degrees, Nice

Francis Marion Univ. 5, Ga. Southwestern 3 (Mar 09, 2013 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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Ga. Southwestern.... 110 000 1 -  3  7  2      (16-14, 1-5 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 000 014 X -  5 10  1      (17-7, 5-1 PBC)
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Pitchers: Ga. Southwestern - Ashley Cavender; Erin Vick(6) and Kiley Doster.
Francis Marion Univ. - Katie Carnes; Danielle Payne(2) and Olivia Ferguson.
Win-Danielle Payne (3-1)  Loss-Ashley Cavender (5-4)  T-1:57
Weather: Sunny, 62 degrees