GAFFNEY, SC – Freshman catcher Sarah Harkins drove in two runs, including a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning to give Francis Marion University a 2-1 win and a sweep of Sunday's (March 1) non-conference softball doubleheader at Limestone College. The Patriots won the opener 6-2 after scoring five runs in the top of the seventh to erase a one-run deficit.

Francis Marion improves to 20-3 and will host Wingate University for a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Junior right-handed pitcher Katelyn Ellard (12-3) threw a complete game in the first contest, scattering three hits and striking out seven with no walks.

Two errors led to FMU scoring first in the fifth inning when freshman pinch runner Jaiden Kiser came home on a wild pitch. Limestone (8-10) responded in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI-single by shortstop Chole Thomas and a run-scoring triple to right center by second baseman Ruthie Jackson to put the Saints up 2-1.

In the top of the seventh, freshman pinch hitter Savana Rosson hit a single to score the tying run. Designated player Carson Shannon later doubled to left center to score two more and give FMU a 4-2 lead. Harkins extended the lead with an RBI-triple and then scored on a fielding error.

Sophomore righty Janecia Hemingway earned the game-two start and threw 4.0 innings, allowing four hits and no runs.  Senior right-hander Amie Hutchison pitched 1.1 innings, before Ellard returned to the mound and picked up the win by retiring five straight batters.

Harkins started the scoring in the second contest as she doubled to right center to plate Hemingway in the sixth.  Limestone again responded in the bottom half of the frame with a sacrifice fly by pitcher Sydney Sullivan (1-2).

In the top of the seventh, singles by Rosson, Hemingway, and Shannon preceded the bases-loaded walk to Harkins that forced in the winning run.  Harkins has now driven in 29 runs in FMU's 23 contests this season.

Francis Marion 6, Limestone College 2 (Mar 1, 2020 at Gaffney, S.C.) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion......... 000 010 5 -  6  7  0      (19-3)
Limestone College... 000 020 0 -  2  3  4      (8-9)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Katelyn Ellard and Sarah Harkins. Limestone College – Caroline Ruth and Jordan Howe.
Win-Katelyn Ellard (11-3) Loss-Caroline Ruth (4-4)  T-2:08  A-179
Weather: Mid 50's and Sunny
 

Francis Marion 2, Limestone College 1 (Mar 1, 2020 at Gaffney, S.C.) (Game 2)
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Francis Marion......    000 001 1 -  2  7  1      (20-3)
Limestone College... 000 001 0 -  1  7  1      (8-10)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Janecia Hemingway; Amie Hutchison(5); Katelyn Ellard(6) and
Sarah Harkins. Limestone College – Sydney Sullivan and Macie Parker.
Win-Katelyn Ellard (12-3) Loss-Sydney Sullivan (1-2)  T-2:07
Weather: Mid 50's and still sunny