FLORENCE, SC – Junior shortstop Makayla Cuthbertson registered six hits and sophomore southpaw Alyssa Poston posted two wins as Francis Marion University swept a non-conference softball doubleheader from Georgian Court University on Sunday (Feb. 25), winning 10-0 and 15-14.
 
Francis Marion ups its record to 13-4.  The Patriots will host nationally ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University for a twinbill on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
 
In game one, Poston (7-1) blanked the Lions (0-2) on two hits over the five-inning contest.  She struck out six and did not issue a walk.
 
Cuthbertson blasted two doubles and a two-run homer.  Her long ball was one of three hit by the Patriots.  Senior catcher Lauren Smallwood hit a two-run shot over the center field wall in the first and junior left fielder Emily Konz had a two-run inside the park homer in the fourth.
 
Sophomore center fielder Mikaela Goss added a two-run double and junior second baseman Peyton Gale hit a run-scoring double.
 
In the second contest, FMU built a 10-0 lead after two frames, but GCU rallied to tie the game at 14-14 with six runs in the top of the seventh.
 
The game was decided on a walk-off RBI-single back up the middle by sophomore pinch hitter Kendal Miller with no outs in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Cuthbertson added two more doubles, a single, two RBIs, three runs scored, and two stolen bases in game two. Gale, senior right fielder Katie Smith, and sophomore third baseman Madalyn White all had three hits in the night cap, including a solo homer by Gale.  Konz added two hits, scored three times, and drove in one.
 
White, Gale, and senior first baseman Taylor Watford also all registered two RBIs.
 
Poston earned the win by getting the final three outs in the seventh after relieving Patriot freshman righty Abby Williams.
 
Georgian Court sophomore right-hander Janelle Blaska (0-2) was tagged with the loss in both games.

 
 
Francis Marion 10, Georgian Court 0 (Feb 25, 2024 at Florence, SC) (Game 1)
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Georgian Court Univ. 000 00 -  0  2  1      (0-1)
Francis Marion Univ. 200 8X - 10  8  0      (12-4)
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Pitchers: Georgian Court Univ. - Janelle Blaszka; Julia Lapp(4) and Adriana Mungo.
Francis Marion Univ. - Alyssa Poston and Kendal Miller; Marlee McCormick.
Win-Alyssa Poston (6-1)  Loss-Janelle Blaszka (0-1)  T-1:36  A-89
HR FMU_SB - Emily Konz (1); Lauren Smallwood (4); Makayla Cuthbertson (1).
Weather: Clear,Sunny,52,Wind S @ 7mph
Janelle Blas faced 2 batters in the 4th.
 
 
Francis Marion 15, Georgian Court 14 (Feb 25, 2024 at Florence, SC) (Game 2)
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Georgian Court Univ. 004 031 6 - 14 14  2      (0-2)
Francis Marion Univ. 913 001 1 - 15 17  4      (13-4)
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Pitchers: Georgian Court Univ. - Kahlen Cornell; Janelle Blaszka(5) and Isabella Molina.
Francis Marion Univ. - Jenna Walling; Abby Williams(5); Alyssa Poston(7) and Marlee McCormick.
Win-Alyssa Poston (7-1)  Loss-Janelle Blaszka (0-2)  T-2:41
HR FMU_SB - Peyton Gale (2).
Weather: Clear,Sunny,57,Wind SE @ 5mph
A.Williams faced 5 batters in the 7th.
Janelle Blas faced 4 batters in the 7th.