FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University scored a record-tying 14 runs in the second inning en route to a 14-5 victory over Mercy College (N.Y.), Friday night in the Patriot Invitational Softball Tournament.

Francis Marion (9-1) continue play on Saturday when the Patriots face Chowan (3-2) at 1 p.m. and Mars Hill University (0-2) at 5 p.m.  Other games on Saturday will have Chowan University playing Mercy at 11 a.m. and Mars Hill facing Mercy at 3 p.m.

Admission to the Griffin Athletic Complex is $8 for adults, $5 for students, and FMU students are admitted free with identification.

FMU freshman catcher Sarah Harkins went 2-for-4 with a homer and two runs batted in, while junior infielder Ashtyn Patterson went 2-for-2 with a double, two runs scored, and three RBIs. 

Patriot freshman right fielder Carson Shannon, the two-time reigning Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Week, also had two hits, a run scored, and one driven in. Sophomore first baseman Addie May added two-run single.

The second inning tied the FMU mark for most runs scored in an inning, set in the third inning of a 22-3 win over Voorhees College on April 16, 1987.  Friday's outburst consisted of seven hits, seven walks, and a hit batter.

Patriot freshman righty Rachel Davis (3-0), the second of three FMU hurlers, picked up the win as she threw 2.2 innings of work.

Sophomore right-hander Katelyn Shepherd (0-1) was the losing pitcher as Mercy (0-1) was playing its season opener.

Post-game comments from FMU head coach Stacey Vallee

Francis Marion Univ. 14, Mercy College (NY) 5 (Feb 14, 2020 at Florence, SC)
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Mercy College (NY)..   040 10 -  5  5  1      (0-1)
Francis Marion Univ. 0(14)0 0X - 14  9  4      (9-1)
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Pitchers: Mercy College (NY) - Becchetti, Jessica; Shephard, Katelyn(2); Benson, Alexi(2);
Zucker, Catherine(3) and Crawford, Alexis; Johnston, Sydney. Francis Marion Univ. -
Janecia Hemingway; Rachel Davis(2); Amie Hutchison(5) and Sarah Harkins; Kyla Koch.
Win-Rachel Davis(3-0)  Loss-Shephard, Katelyn(0-1)  T-2:10  A-85
HR FMU_SB - Sarah Harkins (2).
Weather: 59,sunny,Winds @ 9 mph
Becchetti faced 4 batters in the 2nd.