Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Due West, S.C. (March 25, 2014) – Francis Marion University senior outfielder Megan Smith hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning to highlight the Patriots' 11-1 victory over Erskine College in the first game of a doubleheader from Due West, S.C.
Following the twinbill, the Patriots (17-6) will return to Peach Belt Conference play this weekend with contests at the University of North Georgia and Young Harris College on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Senior righty Taylor Luff (9-9) earned the victory in the circle with seven strikeouts and only one earned run allowed. Erskine (9-14) starter Danica Newton (4-8) took the loss after giving up seven earned runs on seven hits and two walks.
Smith finished the day 1-for-2 at the plate with four runs batted in. Junior first baseman Ashley Burney was 1-for-3 in the game with two RBIs, while sophomore outfielder Jessie Sims had two base knocks. Senior Olivia Zielinski was 1-for-1 with a double and three RBIs.
After freshman outfielder Briana Barzola led off the game with a single, Burney quickly put FMU up 2-0 with her ninth home run of the season. Erskine's Whiten Brown cut the Patriot lead to 2-1 with a RBI single in the bottom of the first inning.
The Patriots broke the game open with a nine-run fifth inning. FMU hit three straight singles before freshman outfielder Mikala Barnhart scored on a passed ball to push the lead to 3-1. After pinch hitter TJ Fain re-loaded the bases with a walk, Smith stepped up to the plate and crushed her first homer of the season to unload the bases and make the score 7-1.
Francis Marion kept up the offensive pressure in the inning, and freshman catcher Danielle Myers hit a RBI single that scored senior designated player Lindsey Brown. Sims then singled, and Barnhart drew a walk to re-load the bases. Zielinski pinch hit for Luff and cleared the bases with an RBI-double to make the final tally 11-1.
Erskine's Christine Long was 2-for-2 at the plate, while Brown finished 1-for-3 with a RBI.
Francis Marion 11, Erskine College 1 (Mar 25, 2014 at Due West, SC) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion...... 200 09 - 11 10 0 (17-16)
Erskine College..... 100 00 - 1 5 0 (9-14)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Taylor Luff and Danielle Myers. Erskine College - Danica Newton;
Katherine Mulzer(5) and Kathryn Windham; Ashyln Hicks.
Win-Taylor Luff(9-9) Loss-Danica Newton(4-8) T-1:46 A-23
HR FMU - Megan Smith (1); Ashley Burney (9).
Newton, Dani faced 5 batters in the 5th.
