FLORENCE, SC – Junior shortstop
Megan Matsil laced a run-scoring double to the left-center field gap in the bottom of the seventh as Francis Marion University captured a 6-5 victory over Tusculum University on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 20). The walk-off win, FMU's fourth of the young season, completed a perfect 4-0 weekend for the Patriots at the Raines Company Softball Classic.
Francis Marion has won five straight to improve to 8-6. The Patriots will play a doubleheader at Wingate University on Wednesday at noon.
Senior right-hander
Janecia Hemingway (3-5) got the win out of the bullpen for FMU by getting the final out in the top of the seventh and stranding two Pioneer baserunners. Junior righty
Rachel Davis started for the Patriots and went 6.1 innings, surrendering three earned runs on six hits, walking none, and striking out four.
Four Patriot registered two hits: senior left fielder
Danielle Karacson, sophomore catcher
Lauren Smallwood, freshman designated player
Emma Moberg, and Matsil. For Moberg, it was her first career start.
A two-out, two-run double by Smallwood to the base of the center field wall gave Francis Marion a 2-0 advantage in the third. The Pioneers knotted the score on a two-run homer by third baseman Kiley Longmire in the top of the fifth.
The Patriots took a 5-2 lead in the last of the sixth, thanks to a two-out, three-run double to right center by senior third baseman
Ashtyn Patterson. However, Tusculum rallied with three runs in the top of the seventh setting stage for another dramatic Patriot win.
In the seventh, junior first baseman
Savana Rosson walked with one out and was pinch ran for by sophomore
Amaya Hush. Following a second out, Matsil drilled an 0-1 offering from Emily Sappington (5-2) into the left-center field gap and Hush motored around the bases to beat the throw home.
GAME NOTES
» Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Four Patriots had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Patriots out-hit the Pioneers at a 10-9 clip.
» Francis Marion went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 31 Tusculum hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out four.
» Smallwood led the Patriots at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
» Tusculum was led offensively by freshman Alyssa Suits, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and an RBI.
» Junior Emily Sappington led the Pioneers pitching staff, throwing 6.2 innings of six-run ball.
Francis Marion Univ. 6, Tusculum University 5 (Feb 20, 2022 at Florence, SC)
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Tusculum University. 000 020 3 - 5 9 2 (8-5)
Francis Marion Univ. 002 003 1 - 6 10 0 (8-6)
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Pitchers: Tusculum University - Emily Sappington and Chloe Freischmidt. Francis Marion Univ. -
Rachel Davis;
Casey Kurent(7);
Janecia Hemingway(7) and
Lauren Smallwood.
Win-
Janecia Hemingway(3-5) Loss-Emily Sappington(5-2) T-2:27 A-116
HR TU - Alyssa Suits (1); Kiley Longmire (2).
Weather: Sunny, 52, Wind W @ 8 mph
