FLORENCE, SC – Freshman catcher Sarah Harkins delivered a three-run double and winning pitcher Janecia Hemingway drove in two runs with a double and a bases-loaded walk as Francis Marion University beat Frostburg State University 7-1, Sunday (Feb. 23) on the final day of the Swamp Fox Sizzler Softball Tournament.

Francis Marion finishes the three-day event 3-1, to improve to 15-2 overall. The Patriots will continue non-conference play when they host Erskine College for a doubleheader on Thursday at 4 p.m. on what is Faculty Appreciation Day.

Hemingway improved to 3-0 in the pitching circle with 3.1 innings of relief work, allowing only one hit with three strikeouts.

Francis Marion scored twice in the first inning – on an RBI-double by Hemingway and a run-scoring single by freshman right fielder Carson Shannon – and once in the second on Hemingway's bases-loaded walk to take an early 3-0 lead.

Frostburg State (1-3) scored in the third on two singles and a pair of walks to cut the Patriot lead to 3-1.

FMU plated four runs in the bottom of the fifth. The hitting started with first baseman Addie May singling to right followed by a single from sophomore designated player Taylor Lutian. Center fielder Danielle Karacson was walked to load the bases with two outs and Harkins followed with her bases-clearing hit.

Harkins then advanced to third on a hit through the left side from junior infielder Ashtyn Patterson. Patterson then got herself into a rundown situation to allow Harkins to score, resulting in a 7-1 lead.

Patterson, Lutian, and left fielder Liberty Schultz were the three Patriots with multiple hits in the game, while Karacson was walked in all three of her plate appearances.

Post-game comments from FMU head coach Stacey Vallee

Francis Marion Univ. 7, Frostburg State Univ 1 (Feb 23, 2020 at Florence, SC)
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Frostburg State Univ 001 000 0 -  1  3  0      (1-3)
Francis Marion Univ. 210 040 X -  7 11  2      (15-2)
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Pitchers: Frostburg State Univ - Shawna Leonard and Kennadie Batchelor. Francis Marion Univ. -
Katelyn Ellard; Janecia Hemingway(4); Amie Hutchison(7) and Sarah Harkins.
Win-Janecia Hemingway (3-0)  Loss-Shawna Leonard (1-1)  T-1:15  A-55
Weather: Mostly sunny,55,Winds S@4 mph