MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Sophomore right-hander Rachel Davis tossed a four-hit shutout and freshman Lauren Smallwood walked with the bases loaded in the fifth inning to help Francis Marion University to a 2-0 blanking of the University of Mount Olive and a split of their season-opening non-conference softball doubleheader on Saturday (Feb. 6).  UMO held off a late Francis Marion rally to claim a 4-3 win in the opening contest.
 
Francis Marion (1-1) will host Converse College (1-1) for a twinbill on Sunday at 1 p.m. in its home-opener. Admission to the FMU Softball Stadium will be limited to 250 spectators, including only FMU season ticket holders, FMU students who pick up free tickets prior to first pitch, and family members of FMU team members who purchase tickets beforehand.  No walk-up day-of-game ticket sales will be available. Spectators will be required to wear masks and social distancing will be observed.
 
FMU entered the season listed among the other teams receiving votes in the 2021 pre-season National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division II Top 25 poll.
 
In her game-two win, Davis (1-0) fanned five and did not issue a walk en route to her first career shutout. She also ran her perfect career record to 5-0. Smallwood's RBI gave Francis Marion a 1-0 advantage and junior first baseman Addie May followed with a sacrifice fly to account for the second Patriot tally. 
 
FMU freshman left fielder Katie Smith went 2-for-2, stole two bases, and scored one of the runs.
 
Hannah Killough (0-1) was saddled with the game-two loss.
 
In Saturday's opener, FMU trailed 4-0 heading to the top of the sixth inning.  Pinch-hitter Hannah Schmidt laced a two-out RBI triple down the right field line, and after junior outfielder Danielle Karacson walked, Davis doubled home both runners.  Senior Bailey Perdue came on to pinch run for Davis.  Smith followed with a single up the middle, but Perdue was thrown out at the plate trying to score the tying run.
 
The Patriots got seventh-inning singles by senior second baseman Ashtyn Patterson and sophomore catcher Sarah Harkins, but both runners were stranded after the next two batters popped out.
 
Davis served as the designated hitter in game one and had a pair of hits.  Patterson also collected two hits in game one.
 
Sophomore righty Taylor Florea (0-1) took the loss in her first appearance as a Patriot.  She scattered nine hits, walked one, and struck out five.
 
Mallory Ratcliff (1-0) earned the win for UMO, while third baseman Kylie Emanuele drove in two runs.
 
 
 
Mount Olive 4, Francis Marion 3 (Feb 06, 2021 at Mount Olive) GAME 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Francis Marion...... 000 003 0 -  3  8  0      (0-1)
Mount Olive......... 001 030 X -  4  9  0      (1-0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Francis Marion - Taylor Florea and Sarah Harkins. Mount Olive - Ratcliff and Burress.
Win-Ratcliff (1-0)  Loss-Taylor Florea (0-1)  T-1hr:45m  A-0
Weather: 50s and Overcast
 
Francis Marion 2, Mount Olive 0 (Feb 06, 2021 at Mount Olive, N.C.) GAME 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Francis Marion...... 000 020 0 -  2  6  0      (1-1)
Mount Olive......... 000 000 0 -  0  4  0      (1-1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Francis Marion - Rachel Davis and Sarah Harkins. Mount Olive - Kessinger; Killough (1) and Porter; Burress.
Win-Rachel Davis (1-0)  Loss-Killough (0-1)  T-1hr30min  A-0
Weather: 50s Cloudy