WINGATE, NC – Francis Marion University dropped both ends of a non-conference softball doubleheader at Wingate University, losing 7-0 and 8-1 on Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 23).
 
Francis Marion (8-8) will host the Patriot Invitational Tournament this coming weekend, Feb. 25-27 at the FMU Softball Stadium.  The four-team event will start with three games on Friday including the Patriots hosting West Liberty University at 4 p.m.
 
Junior right-hander Rachel Davis (2-1) started game one and took the loss in the circle for Francis Marion.  Wingate freshman Hali Scott (2-1), sophomore Sydney Kale, and junior Hannah Reeves combined to throw a 2-hit shutout.
 
The Patriots had runners on base in five of the seven innings, including two on with no outs in both the fourth and sixth frames, but could not push across a run. 
 
Sophomore catcher Lauren Smallwood and senior left fielder Danielle Karacson registered the two FMU base hits.
 
A pair of two-run homers by Hannah Reeves and Scott powered the Bulldog offense in game one. 
 
In the second contest, FMU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Karacson doubled to left centerfield to score senior third baseman Ashtyn Patterson.
 
Senior righty Janecia Hemingway (3-6) started and took the loss.  Junior right-hander Casey Kurent came on in relief and went 4.1 innings, surrendering only one run on five hits, walking one and striking out five.
 
Patterson finished 2-for-4 with a double, while freshman designated player Emma Moberg also had two hits.
 
After FMU took its initial lead, Wingate answered with the tying run in the bottom of the first frame and then scored seven times in the second frame.
 
GAME 1 NOTES
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 34 Wingate hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out three.
» Smallwood led the Patriots at the plate, going 1-for-2.
» Wingate was led offensively by Reeves, who went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.
» Scott led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing five shutout innings.
 
Wingate 7, Francis Marion 0 (Feb 23, 2022 at Wingate, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion...... 000 000 0 -  0  2  1      (8-7)
Wingate............. 003 211 X -  7 10  0      (11-3)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Rachel Davis; Casey Kurent(4) and Lauren Smallwood. Wingate -
Hali Scott; Sydney Kale(6); Hannah Reeves(7) and Hannah Stevens; Katy Kahlich.
Win-Hali Scott(2-1)  Loss-Rachel Davis(2-1)  T-2:13 pm  A-111
HR WU - Hannah Reeves (5); Hali Scott (2).
Hali Scott faced 2 batters in the 6th.
 
GAME 2 NOTES
» Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed one run across.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 31 Wingate hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out six.
» Karacson led the Patriots at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
» Wingate was led offensively by sophomore Laney McLaurin, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs.
» Sophomore Sydney Kale led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing five innings of one-run ball.