PEMBROKE, NC – Francis Marion University rattled off eight extra-base hits, including three home runs, to back the five-hit pitching of freshman right-hander Jenna Walling to grab a 12-1 win in game one, but UNC Pembroke rallied with four runs over the final three innings to take game two 8-6, as the two local rivals split their Conference Carolinas softball doubleheader on Tuesday night (Apr. 18).
 
The game-two loss drops the 35-11 Patriots into third place in the conference standings at 15-7, one full game behind the first-place squad.  Francis Marion will play a non-conference twinbill at Limestone University on Thursday at 1 p.m.  FMU will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday when its hosts Erskine College for a 1 p.m. doubleheader to conclude the regular season.
 
Sophomore centerfielder Avery Bellai led FMU in the opener, going 3-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in. Senior second baseman Megan Matsil had two hits, including a homer, and drove in three runs, while senior left fielder Danielle Karacson was 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI and graduate student catcher Reagan Glanz had two hits, a double, and an RBI.
 
Walling upped her season mark to 19-3 with the complete-game effort.  She struck out two and allowed only a solo home run in the final inning (fifth).
 
A two-out solo homer by senior first baseman Taylor Watford staked the Patriots to a 1-0 advantage in the first.  A pair of two-out, two-run doubles by Bellai and freshman third baseman Madalyn White extended the margin to 5-0 in the second.
 
Solo homers by Matsil and senior designated player Savana Rosson highlighted a three-run third frame that upped the lead to 8-0.  Rosson moves into a tie for second place with Janine Allen (2004-07) on the Patriot career home run list with 27, only two long balls behind Kim Booker (1986-89).
 
Karacson connected on a two-out RBI-double in the fourth, and the Patriots completed their scoring with three runs in the fifth, two coming home on a single by Matsil.
 
In the second game, Matsil was 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, and two runs batted in.
 
The Braves (17-26, 10-8) took a 4-0 lead on a grand slam by left fielder Kadence Sheppard in the second inning.  FMU trimmed the deficit in half on a two-out, two-run triple by Matsil in the third.  Bellai scored on a wild pitch and Karacson smacked a two-run double in the fifth to push the Patriots ahead 5-4.
 
UNCP answered immediately with a three-run double by third baseman Samantha Allred in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead at 7-5.  The Braves would add an insurance run in the sixth to up the margin to 8-5.
 
FMU loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but could manage only one run on a fielder's choice grounder by Rosson.
 
Senior righty Rachel Davis (13-8) started for the Patriots and was the losing pitcher.
 
 
Francis Marion 12, UNC Pembroke 1 (Apr 18, 2023 at Pembroke, N.C.) (Game 1)
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Francis Marion......... 143 13 - 12 13  0      (35-10, 15-6)
UNC Pembroke........ 000 01 -  1  5  0      (16-26, 9-8)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Jenna Walling and Reagan Glanz. UNC Pembroke - Madison Dyson;
Riley Fox(3); Abby White(3) and Lauren Hilbourn.
Win-Jenna Walling(19-3)  Loss-Madison Dyson(6-13)  T-1:54  A-324
HR FMU_SB - Taylor Watford; Megan Matsil; Savana Rosson.
HR UNCP - Olivia Hall.
Weather: Sunny, 78 degrees, W 9mph
M. Dyson faced 1 batter in the 3rd.
 
UNC Pembroke 8, Francis Marion 6 (Apr 18, 2023 at Pembroke, N.C.) (Game 2)
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Francis Marion......... 002 030 1 -  6  7  0      (35-11, 15-7)
UNC Pembroke........ 040 031 X -  8  9  1      (17-26, 10-8)
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Pitchers: Francis Marion - Rachel Davis; Jenna Walling(5) and Reagan Glanz. UNC Pembroke -
Summer Bullard and Lauren Hilbourn.
Win-Summer Bullard(7-7)  Loss-Rachel Davis(13-8)  T-2:46  A-248
HR UNCP - Kadence Sheppard.
Weather: Sunny, 76 degrees, W8mph
Davis faced 3 batters in the 5th.