BELMONT, NC – Francis Marion University clouted three home runs, including a pair by sophomore catcher
Lauren Smallwood, in an eight-run third inning that keyed the Patriots to an 11-1 win over Belmont Abbey College and a split of Saturday's (April 23) Conference Carolinas softball doubleheader. The Crusaders scored a pair of two-out runs in the sixth inning to rally for a 3-2 victory in the opener.
The Patriots, now 28-17 overall and 14-8 in conference play, while conclude their regular season with a conference twinbill at Erskine College on Monday at 1 p.m.
Senior right-hander
Janecia Hemingway (8-7) earned the game-two win for Francis Marion as she gave up one run on seven hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
The Patriots scored eight times in the third inning and three in the sixth.
Smallwood became what is believed to be the first Patriot to ever homer twice in one inning as she launched a solo shot and then a two-run homer. Junior shortstop
Megan Matsil also knocked a three-run round-tripper in the big outburst.
Senior outfielder
Danielle Karacson's two-run double highlighted the sixth-inning uprising.
Sophomore designated player
Grace Trautman joined Smallwood with two hits in the second contest.
In game one, FMU scored twice in the opening inning. Senior shortstop
Ashtyn Patterson stole home as part of a double steal and junior first baseman
Savana Rosson drilled an RBI-single. The Crusaders answered with a single run in the bottom of the first to trim the margin to 2-1.
Neither team would score again until the bottom of the sixth. Belmont Abbey (30-13, 15-9) recorded a pair of two-out singles followed by a two-run double by junior catcher Mackenzie Sprinkle to give the Crusaders a 3-2 edge.
FMU junior righty
Rachel Davis (11-6) went the distance in the circle, but was tagged with the tough-luck loss. She allowed the three runs on six hits, while allowing one walk and striking out six.
Rosson and Patterson led Francis Marion with a pair of hits apiece.
Belmont Abbey 3, Francis Marion 2 (Apr. 23,2022 at Belmont, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion...... 200 000 0 - 2 6 0 (27-17, 13-8 CC)
Belmont Abbey....... 100 002 X - 3 6 1 (30-12, 15-8 CC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion -
Rachel Davis and
Lauren Smallwood. Belmont Abbey - A. Craver and
M. Sprinkle.
Win-A. Craver(14-7) Loss-
Rachel Davis(11-6) T-1:52 A-140
Weather: 79, mostly sunny, wind NE 9
GAME 1 NOTES
» Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 28 Belmont Abbey hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out six.
» Rosson led the Patriots at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Belmont Abbey was led offensively by M. Sprinkle, who went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
» A. Craver led the Crusaders pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.
Francis Marion 11, Belmont Abbey 1 (Apr.23, 2022 at Belmont, N.C.) (Game 2)
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Francis Marion...... 008 003 - 11 10 2 (28-17, 14-8 CC)
Belmont Abbey....... 000 100 - 1 7 4 (30-13, 15-9 CC)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion -
Janecia Hemingway and
Lauren Smallwood. Belmont Abbey - A. Browne;
A. Mravlja(3); A. Craver(3) and M. Sprinkle.
Win-
Janecia Hemingway(8-7) Loss-A. Browne(11-4) T-1:50 A-0
HR FMU_SB -
Megan Matsil;
Lauren Smallwood 2.
Weather: 80, mostly cloudy, wind NE 7 m
A. Mravlja faced 3 batters in the 3rd.
GAME 2 NOTES
» The Patriots got two home runs off the bat of Smallwood.
» The Patriots power output was led by Smallwood, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Three different Patriots drove in three runs. » Every Francis Marion starter reached base safely in the win.
» Francis Marion's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed eight runs across.
» Francis Marion hitters hit three home runs in the ballgame.
» The Patriots out-hit the Crusaders at a 10-7 clip.
» Francis Marion went 4-for-7 (.571) with runners in scoring position.
» Francis Marion pitchers limited Belmont Abbey to just 1-for-6 (.167) with runners in scoring position.
» Francis Marion pitchers faced 25 Belmont Abbey hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out two.
» The Patriots drew four walks from Belmont Abbey pitching.
» Smallwood led the Patriots at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI.
» Belmont Abbey was led offensively by A. Craver, who went 2-for-3 with a triple.
» A. Browne led the Crusaders pitching staff, throwing 2.2 innings of five-run ball.
