FLORENCE, SC - Sophomore right-handers Rachel Davis and Taylor Florea each tossed complete-game shutouts and senior shortstop Ashtyn Patterson and freshman designated player Lauren Smallwood each blasted long home runs as Francis Marion University swept a Peach Belt Conference softball doubleheader from Augusta University on Saturday afternoon (March 20), winning 8-0 in five innings and 7-0.
 
Francis Marion improves to 6-8 overall and 2-0 in the PBC. The Patriots will return to action on Saturday, March 27, with a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader at Georgia College.
 
In game one, FMU jumped on Augusta starter Mary Tillman (3-6) in the first inning by plating five runs on five hits.  Junior center fielder Danielle Karacson laced an RBI-single to center, while sophomore catcher Sarah Harkins scored on a throwing error, and Smallwood belted a long 3-run homer over the center field fence.
 
That advantage increased to 8-0 with a trio of runs in the second frame.  Junior first baseman Addie May doubled home two runs and junior third baseman Janecia Hemingway followed with an RBI-double to the right field fence. Every Patriot in the line-up registered a game-one base hit.
 
Davis (3-1) posted her second shutout of the year, allowing only two singles and one walk while striking out two. She needed only 54 pitches to complete the run-ruled contest.
 
Patterson contributed two diving catches in game one, and added a third in the second contest.
 
Florea (3-3) registered her first shutout as a Patriot in the second game.  She allowed only five singles, fanned two, and walked only one, while needing just 82 pitches to complete the 7-inning contest.  The FMU defense backed Florea by turning three double plays.
 
Augusta freshman righty Chloe Wilson (5-4) was tagged with the game-two loss. Augusta dropped to 8-12 overall and 2-2 in the PBC.
 
Again, the Patriots got off to a quick start with three first-inning runs. An RBI-triple to the right-center field gap by Harkins scored Patterson, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.  Karacson followed with a run-scoring double to left field, and with two outs, sophomore second baseman Megan Matsil drove home Karacson with an RBI-single to left.
 
Freshman right fielder Katie Smith lined a two-run triple to the left-center field gap in the fourth as the Patriot advantage lead to 5-0.  Patterson smoked a two-run homer over the left-center field fence in the sixth to account for the final tallies.
 
Matsil finished with two hits in both ends of the twinbill.

 
 
Francis Marion 8, Augusta 0 (Mar 20, 2021 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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Augusta University.. 000 00 -  0  2  1      (8-11, 2-1 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 530 0X -  8 11  0      (5-8, 1-0 PBC)
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Pitchers: Augusta University - Mary Tillman; Katy Caldwell (3) and Aminah Wood.
Francis Marion Univ. - Rachel Davis and Sarah Harkins.
Win-Rachel Davis (3-1)  Loss-Mary Tillman (3-6)  T-1:33  A-97
HR FMU_SB - Lauren Smallwood (1).
Weather: Cloudy, 53, Winds NNE 15 mph
 
Francis Marion 7, Augusta 0 (Mar 20, 2021 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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Augusta University.. 000 000 0 -  0  5  0      (8-12, 2-2 PBC)
Francis Marion Univ. 300 202 X -  7 10  0      (6-8, 2-0 PBC)
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Pitchers: Augusta University - Chloe Wilson and Aminah Wood. Francis Marion Univ. -
Taylor Florea and Sarah Harkins.
Win-Taylor Florea (3-3)  Loss-Chloe Wilson (5-4)  T-1:54
HR FMU_SB - Ashtyn Patterson (2).
Weather: Overcast, 52, Winds NE 17 mph