FLORENCE, SC -- Senior Janecia Hemingway collected five hits, drove in five runs, and registered the game-one pitching win as Francis Marion University split a season-opening softball doubleheader with ninth-ranked West Chester University, Saturday afternoon (Feb. 5). The Patriots won the first game 10-5, before dropping a heart-breaking 13-12 decision in 10 innings in the nightcap.
Francis Marion (1-1) will return to the diamond on Sunday when the Patriots host USC Aiken for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.
In Saturday's opener, Hemingway (1-1) got the win as the right-hander went four innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits, and striking out two. Junior Casey Kurent pitched the final three innings to earn her first save as a Patriot.
In addition to her four hits in game one, Hemingway had a double and three RBIs to lead the Patriots. Sophomore catcher Lauren Smallwood put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Sophomore first baseman Grace Trautman also contributed for Francis Marion, putting together one hit while adding a walk and an RBI.
The Patriots got on the board immediately, scoring three times first frame, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Hemingway. After the Golden Rams scored twice in the second, FMU expanded its advantage in the third when senior outfielder Danielle Karacson came across on a sacrifice fly by Smallwood.
Francis Marion went up 8-2 in the fourth, scoring four runs, including a two-run double by Smallwood.
The Golden Rams crept to within 8-5, but Francis Marion added some insurance in the sixth. The Patriots pushed across two runs when a single from Trautman scored junior infielder Megan Matsil and sophomore Katie Smith.
In the second contest, the Golden Rams stranded the tying and potential winning runs on base in the last of the tenth to secure a wild 13-12 victory. The game lasted 3:41 and featured a combined 25 runs and 31 base hits.
Hemingway took the loss in relief as she pitched the final 4.1 innings. Junior righty Rachel Davis started for the Patriots, while junior Savana Rosson also pitched in relief.
At the plate, the Patriots were led by Karacson, who went 4-for-6 with two doubles and an RBI. Hemingway finished 1-for-3 with a double, three walks and two RBIs, while Smallwood added two hits with a double and two RBIs.
Trailing 6-0 entering the last of the third, FMU rallied with four runs in the third and three in the fifth to go ahead 7-6. The third inning featured a two-run double off the bat of Matsil.
WCU went back ahead with two runs in the top of the fifth, but FMU knotted the game at 8-8 when graduate student center fielder NaJah Gerrald scored on an outfield error in the bottom of the frame.
After a scoreless sixth inning, both teams scored single tallies in each of the seventh, eighth, and ninth frames. A two-run double by WCU first baseman Trisha Kopintez in the top of the tenth staked the Golden Rams to a 13-11 advantage. FMU answered with an RBI-single by Smallwood to draw withing 13-12, but despite having two runners on and no outs, the Patriots were unable to push across the tying run.
West Chester sophomore southpaw Summer Williams picked up the game-two win, as she pitched the final 1.1 innings. Kopinetz finished the twinbill with four hits and five RBIs.
GAME ONE NOTES
» Hemingway compiled four hits on the day for Francis Marion.
» Smallwood and Hemingway drove in three runs each for the Patriots. » Every Francis Marion starter reached base safely in the win.
» Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed four runs across.
» Francis Marion took a 3-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Patriots out-hit the Golden Rams at a 10-8 clip.
» The Patriots got two hits in five at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 35 West Chester (PA) hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out four.
» The Patriots drew six walks from West Chester (PA) pitching.
» Hemingway led the Patriots at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
» West Chester (PA) was led offensively by senior Emily Kim, who went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. » Freshman Anna Torrens led the Golden Rams pitching staff, throwing 2.1 innings of two-run ball.
GAME TWO NOTES
» Karacson compiled a four-hit day for the Patriots.
» Francis Marion's power output was led by Karacson, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Every Patriots starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» Five Francis Marion hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» Francis Marion batters had a total of 15 hits in the game.
» Francis Marion left 18 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 52 West Chester (PA) hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out six.
» The Patriots drew seven walks from West Chester (PA) pitching.
» Karacson led the Patriots at the plate, going 4-for-6 with two doubles and an RBI.
» West Chester (PA) was led offensively by junior Trisha Kopinetz, who went 3-for-6 with two doubles and four RBIs.
» Freshman Anna Torrens led the Golden Rams pitching staff, throwing five innings of four-run ball.
