FLORENCE, SC – Freshman Shania Domingue accounted for three hits and five runs batted in as Francis Marion University split a season-opening non-conference softball doubleheader with North Greenville University, Saturday afternoon (Feb. 4).  FMU lost a 4-3 nail-biter in game one before blanking the Crusaders 6-0 behind the five-hit pitching of freshman right-hander Sydney Holland in the second contest.

Francis Marion (1-1) will return to the FMU Softball Field on Sunday as the Patriots entertain Claflin University for a twinbill beginning at 1 p.m.  General admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students (FMU students are admitted free with ID). 

In game two, Domingue drove in three runs with a two-run double in the first inning and a solo home run in the third frame.  Senior left fielder Briana Barzola was a perfect 4-for-4 and scored twice, while sophomore shortstop Taylor Johnson collected two hits, including a two-run homer.

Holland (1-1), who also took the game-one loss, scattered five hits in game two.  She struck out six and walked only one.

Junior righty Anna Rogers (0-1) was the game-two losing pitcher.

Trailing 4-0 in Saturday's opener, Francis Marion rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but fell one run short.  Domingue, a product of Clover High School, plated the first two runs with a pinch-hit triple.

Sophomore catcher Chelsea Welty paced FMU with three hits in game one, while also driving in the third run.

Amanda Coffrin (1-0) earned the win for North Greenville (1-1).  Crusader catcher Kaitlyn Wagers went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs.