MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Francis Marion University received a stellar pitching performance from junior right-hander Rachel Davis in its first-ever Conference Carolinas softball contest, but the Patriots fell 1-0 in nine innings to the University of Mount Olive on Tuesday afternoon (March 8). The Trojans took game two by a 15-0 decision to complete a sweep of the twinbill.
 
Francis Marion (12-11, 0-2) will entertain Georgia College for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday at 4 p.m.  Admission to the Griffin Athletic Complex is $10 for adults and $5 for students.
 
Mount Olive shortstop Cassandra Lassiter singled with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to plate the winning run in the first game.
 
Davis (4-3) started and took the hard-luck loss in the circle.  She tossed 8.1 innings and gave up only the one run on seven hits, while walking one and striking out seven.
 
UMO sophomore Hannah Killough (9-4) recorded the shutout as she limited FMU to seven hits, walking two, and fanning six.
 
Graduate student center fielder NaJah Gerrald was the lone Patriot with multiple hits as she went 2-for-3.
 
Francis Marion left 10 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the fourth.  Utilizing the international tie-breaker rule, FMU freshman pinch runner Jayla King advanced to third in the top of the ninth on a fly out by freshman designated hitter Emma Moberg.  However, Killough retired the next two FMU batters to keep the game scoreless.
 
Junior righty Casey Kurent (5-2) started and was tagged with the game-two loss.
 
FMU senior third baseman Ashtyn Patterson and junior first baseman Savana Rosson each had a hit in the second contest.  Patterson also singled in the opener and continues her string of having safely reached base in all 23 contests this season.
 
The Trojans (17-5, 2-0) scored three runs in the first and three in the third to take an early 6-0 advantage.
 
 
Mount Olive 1, Francis Marion 0 (Mar 08, 2022 at Mount Olive, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion..... 000 000 000  -  0  7  0      (12-10, 0-1 CC)
Mount Olive......... 000 000 001  -  1  7  1      (15-5, 1-0 CC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Rachel Davis and Lauren Smallwood. Mount Olive - Killough,Hannah and Porter,Ashlyn.
Win-Killough,Hannah (9-4)  Loss-Rachel Davis (4-3)  T-2:09  A-63
 
GAME 1 NOTES
» Francis Marion left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Francis Marion pitchers limited Mount Olive to just 2-for-10 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 32 Mount Olive hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and 15 fly balls while striking out seven.
» Gerrald led the Patriots at the plate, going 2-for-3.
» Mount Olive was led offensively by senior Cassandra Lassiter, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
» Killough led the Trojans pitching staff, throwing nine shutout innings.
 
 
Mount Olive 15, Francis Marion 0 (Mar 08, 2022 at Mount Olive, N.C.) (Game 2)
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Francis Marion...... 000 00 -  0  2  3      (12-11, 0-2 CC)
Mount Olive......... 303 9X - 15 14  0      (17-5, 2-0 CC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Casey Kurent; Janecia Hemingway(3); Rachel Davis(4) and
Lauren Smallwood. Mount Olive - King,Lauren and Curcio,Carly.
Win-King,Lauren(6-1)  Loss-Casey Kurent(5-2)  T-1:34  A-65
HR UMO - Emanuele,Kylie; Curcio,Carly.
 
GAME 2 NOTES
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 31 Mount Olive hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and five fly balls while striking out two.
» Patterson led the Patriots at the plate, going 1-for-3.
» Mount Olive was led offensively by sophomore Carly Curcio, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.
» King led the Trojans pitching staff, throwing five scoreless innings.