FLORENCE, SC – Seniors Jessica and Jaimie Harney combined to drive in 10 runs and lead Francis Marion University to a pair of wins on the first day of the Swamp Fox Sizzler Softball Tournament, Saturday afternoon (Feb. 23).  The Patriots, now 11-3 thanks to seven straight wins, defeated West Liberty University 11-3 in five innings and downed Queens University of Charlotte 10-3.

The two-day event will conclude on Sunday with FMU playing West Liberty at 11 a.m., Queens playing West Liberty at 1 p.m., and Francis Marion facing Queens at 3 p.m.  Admission to the Griffin Athletic Complex is $8 for adults and $5 for students with FMU students being admitted free of charge.  The ticket also allows one to watch the FMU vs USC Aiken baseball game at 2 p.m.

In Saturday's opening victory, first baseman Jessica Harney hit a three-run homer and a two-run single to highlight an eight-run outburst in the bottom of the third inning that erased a 3-0 West Liberty lead.  Second baseman Jaimie Harney doubled home a run in the fourth frame.

FMU senior third baseman Angela Buccilli finished the game 2-for-2 with a run scored, a double, and one RBI.

The rally allowed freshman right-hander Janecia Hemingway (4-0) to remain unbeaten.  She fanned two and allowed only five hits and two earned runs.

Hilltopper starter Makenzie Ahmed (2-2) was the losing pitcher.  Catcher Kat Donzella led West Liberty (2-5) at the plate with a pair of hits, including a two-run homer.

In the second contest, Jaimie Harney plated two runs with a double in the first inning and drove in one run in the second with a sacrifice fly.  Jessica Harney laced an RBI single in the first as FMU took a quick 5-0 lead.

Buccilli and senior shortstop Taylor Johnson both had two hits and two RBIs against the Royals, including a two-run home run by Johnson in the third inning. Johnson has hit safely in her last 12 games.

Sophomore righty Katelyn Ellard (6-0) also remained undefeated as she tossed a three-hitter and surrendered only two earned runs while fanning 10.

Khristen McPherson (0-1) was tagged with the loss.  Third baseman Grace Valchar drove in two of the Royals' three runs with a two-run double.

Francis Marion Univ. 11, West Liberty Univ. 3 (Feb 23, 2019 at Florence, SC)
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West Liberty Univ...   201 00 -  3  5  3      (2-5)
Francis Marion Univ. 008 3X - 11  9  2      (10-3)
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Pitchers: West Liberty Univ. - Makenzie Ahmed; Anna Paterson(3) and Kat Donzella.
Francis Marion Univ. - Janecia Hemingway and Chelsea Welty.
Win-Janecia Hemingway(4-0)  Loss-Makenzie Ahmed(2-2)  T-2:06  A-113
HR WLU - Kat Donzella.
HR FMU_SB - Jessica Harney.
M. Amend faced 4 batters in the 3rd.

Francis Marion Univ. 10, Queens U. Charlotte 3 (Feb 23, 2019 at Florence, SC)
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Queens U. Charlotte. 000 300 0 -  3  3  3      (6-4)
Francis Marion Univ.  512 200 X - 10  8  1      (11-3)
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Pitchers: Queens U. Charlotte - Khristen McPherson; Kate Hunter (3) and Jordan Hunt.
Francis Marion Univ. - Katelyn Ellard and Chelsea Welty.
Win-Katelyn Ellard (6-0)  Loss-Khristen McPherson (0-1)  T-2:00  A-100
HR FMU_SB - Taylor Johnson.
Weather: Overcast, 50 degrees