FLORENCE, SC – Sophomore third baseman Janecia Hemingway drilled a two-out two-run single in the second inning and junior right-handed pitcher Katelyn Ellard struck out the last batter with the bases loaded to allow Francis Marion University to escape with a 4-3 victory over Queens University of Charlotte, Friday evening (Feb. 21) on day one of the Swamp Fox Sizzler Softball Tournament.

The Patriots improve to 13-1 as they head into day two (Saturday) of the tournament to play Emmanuel College (2-3) at 1 p.m. and Queens (7-6) again at 5 p.m.  Two other games will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

FMU is off to its best season start in 15 years, since the 2005 squad also opened 13-1.

Ellard improved to 8-1 while scattering three hits and striking out eight Royals batters.

Francis Marion broke up a scoreless game in the second inning with two outs, scoring four times. Two runs came home on bases-loaded walks to junior infielder Ashtyn Patterson and freshman shortstop Megan Matsil, and Hemingway followed with her two-run single through the right side.

Sophomore left fielder Liberty Schultz was the lone Patriot with multiple hits as she went 2-for-2 with a run scored.

The Royals cut FMU's lead in half with two runs in the fifth as designated player Grace Valchar doubled to left and teammate Alyssa Strickler tripled to right to drive in Valchar. Strickler later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Chloe Linton.

Queens scored again in the seventh as Chloe Palmer reached on a dropped pop up and scored on a single by left fielder Gerlea Patton before Ellard ended the threat and the game.

Queens defeated Emmanuel 9-7 in the first game of the three-day event.

Post-game comments from FMU head coach Stacey Vallee

Francis Marion Univ. 4, Queens U Charlotte 3 (Feb 21, 2020 at Florence, SC)
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Queens U Charlotte.. 000 020 1 -  3  3  0      (7-6)
Francis Marion Univ. 040 000 X -  4  5  1      (13-1)
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Pitchers: Queens U Charlotte - Courtney Pearson and Jordan Hunt. Francis Marion Univ. -
Katelyn Ellard and Sarah Harkins.
Win-Katelyn Ellard(8-1)  Loss-Courtney Pearson(2-5)  T-2:07  A-85
Weather: sunny 43 winds @ NNE 18 mph