Florence, S.C. (Feb. 22, 2014) – Senior shortstop Kristie Hanewinckel hit the game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Francis Marion University a 1-0 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against Mars Hill University on Homecoming at the FMU Softball Stadium. The Lions won the first game 3-1 in extra innings.

The Patriots return to the field tomorrow afternoon against 24th-ranked Wingate University for a home doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

With the score tied at 0-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning in the second game, freshman outfielder Briana Barzola walked to begin the frame. After she advanced to second on a groundout by Taylor Luff, Hanewinckel doubled to center field allowing Barzola to score the winning run.

Junior Katie Carnes (3-2) got the win in the circle after allowing only three hits in seven innings with a strikeout. Reliever Tyler Miles took the loss for Mars Hill after allowing the game-winning run in  the seventh.

At the plate, Luff and Hanewinckel each tallied two hits. Carnes and freshman catcher Danielle Myers also registered a hit, while junior first baseman Ashley Burney drew two walks.

The Patriots had a chance to take the lead in the third inning when Barzola and Luff opened the frame with singles. Both runners advanced a base when Hanewinckel grounded out, but a groundout by junior third baseman Shelby Mathews and a popup by Carnes ended the inning, stranding the runners.

The Lions had their best chance to take the lead in the top half of the seventh inning. They opened the frame with Jamie Booze drawing a walk and Aleshia Peek singling to center field. After a sacrifice bunt moved them each up a base and into scoring position, Carnes was able to force two groundball outs to end the threat and set the Patriots up for the win.

Mars Hill struck for three runs in the top of the eighth inning to claim the victory in the first game. Luff (3-2) took the loss in the circle after giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits. She did record 10 strikeouts to move her season total to 58. The Lions' Taylor Hussey (4-2) earned the win with three strikeouts.

Mars Hill was able to get runners at first and third to begin the eighth inning. Luff was able to induce two infield pop-ups to get within an out of working out of the jam, but then walked Robyn Stanek to load the bases. The next batter, Jamie Hockaday, drove in all three Lions' runs on a double.

In the bottom half of the eighth, Hanewinckel singled in TJ Fain to bring the Patriots back within two runs of the lead. However, she was stranded when Mathews grounded out to the third baseman.

Hanewinckel led the Patriots at the plate in game one with a pair of hits and an RBI. Carnes also tallied a hit, while Luff drew a walk.