COLUMBUS, GA — Francis Marion University sophomore catcher Sarah Harkins recorded three hits, but the Patriots lost both ends of a Peach Belt Conference softball doubleheader to Columbus State University on Saturday afternoon (April 17). The Cougars won by scores of 10-2 and 8-3.
 
Francis Marion (9-15, 5-7) will remain on the road for twinbill at Georgia Southwestern State University on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
 
In the opener, the Patriots struck first, plating a single run in the opening frame, when junior first basemen Addie May scored senior shortstop Ashtyn Patterson on a ground out to first.
 
Columbus State (22-10, 7-3) responded with two runs of their own in the second inning. The Patriots answered with another run in the third to knot things up 2-2. May reached on a fielding error by the first baseman and a sprinting Harkins scored from second on the play. However, the Cougars exploded for four runs in both the fourth and fifth frames to invoke mercy rule.
 
Harkins and freshman outfielder Katie Smith went 1-for-2 in game No. 1, while senior outfielder Jordan Carlson went 1-for-1.  Junior right-hander Rachel Davis (5-4) was the losing pitcher as she hurled 2.1 innings of relief work.
 
In game two, the Patriots struck first again. This time Patterson scored when May singled to the shortstop. However, the Cougars plated four runs in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead.
 
After three scoreless innings by FMU sophomore ace Taylor Florea, Columbus State pounced for another four runs in the fifth.
 
The Patriot rallied in the seventh. Harkins scored Carlson on a sacrifice fly to left field and Patterson scored on another Cougar fielding error, but CSU took the 8-3 win to sweep FMU.
 
Florea (4-6) started both games of the doubleheader and went six innings in the second contest and took the loss, fanning five batters on the day.  Harkins had two hits in the second contest and Carlson added a second hit of the day.
 
Cougar starter Hannah Rose Corbin (13-5) gained the win in both games, pitching 10.2 innings.
 
 
Columbus State 10, Francis Marion 2 (Apr 17, 2021 at Columbus, Ga.) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion Univ. 101 00 -  2  3  0      (9-14, 5-6 PBC)
Columbus State Univ. 020 44 - 10 10  2      (21-10, 6-3 PBC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion Univ. - Taylor Florea; Rachel Davis(2); Janecia Hemingway(4) and
Sarah Harkins. Columbus State Univ. - Corbin and Dodson.
Win-Corbin(12-5)  Loss-Rachel Davis(5-4)  T-2:11  A-0
HR CSU - Corbin (13); Elston 2 (10).
Weather: 72 degrees and cloudy
Florea faced 3 batters in the 2nd.
 
Columbus State 8, Francis Marion 3 (Apr 17, 2021 at Columbus, Ga.) (Game 2)
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Francis Marion Univ. 100 000 2 -  3  7  2      (9-15, 5-7 PBC)
Columbus State Univ. 400 040 X -  8  8  3      (22-10, 7-3 PBC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion Univ. - Taylor Florea and Sarah Harkins. Columbus State Univ. -
Corbin; R. Patton(6) and Kiser.
Win-Corbin(13-5)  Loss-Taylor Florea(4-6)  T-2:16  A-188
HR CSU - Elston (9).
Weather: 73 degrees and partly cloudy