DUNCAN, SC – Junior right-handed pitcher
Jenna Walling threw a five-hit shutout as second-ranked and top-seeded Francis Marion University blanked fourth-seeded University of Mount Olive 4-0, Saturday night (Apr. 26) in an elimination game at the 2025 Conference Carolinas Softball Tournament.
Francis Marion improves to 45-4 and advances to Sunday when FMU will face third-seeded Barton College at 2:30 p.m. in another elimination contest at the Tyger River Park complex in Duncan, S.C. If the Patriots win, FMU will play again on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Walling (16-1) walked four and struck out nine UMO batters. The Johns Island, S.C., native moves into sole possession of third place on the Patriot career pitching wins list with a 53-8 mark – one win ahead of teammate
Alyssa Poston (52-8).
FMU's seven hits were spread among seven different players, including senior outfielder
Emily Konz, who extended her hitting streak to 13 games.
Francis Marion scored twice in the bottom of the first. Konz singled to the shortstop, stole second, and scampered home on an RBI-single by Conference Player of the Year
Paige Strickland. It was her 70th run batted in of the season – second most in program history.
The Patriots doubled their advantage to 4-0 in the bottom of the third. Freshman catcher
Rylee Gray started the two-out rally with a double to left field. Senior third baseman
Peyton Gale walked before senior pinch-hitter
Emma Moberg lined a run-scoring single through the left side. Senior designated player
Samantha Turnage followed with an RBI-single through the left side to complete the scoring. The last hit chased Trojan starter Cayden Sutton (1-4) from the circle.
Mount Olive (25-26) threatened in the sixth inning, but Walling deflected a grounder to second baseman
Rylie Webster who started an inning-ending double play.
UMO loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. Walling induced a fielder's choice grounder to third and a strikeout to end the threat and the game.
#2 Francis Marion 4, Mount Olive 0 (Apr 26, 2025 at Duncan, SC)
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Mount Olive…….... 000 000 0 - 0 5 2 (25-26)
Francis Marion....... 202 000 X - 4 7 0 (45-4)
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Pitchers: Mount Olive – Cayden Sutton, Bri Verme (3) and Laci Best. Francis Marion -
Jenna Walling and
Rylee Gray.
Win-
Jenna Walling (16-1) Loss-Cayden Sutton (1-4) T-2:00 A-109
Weather: Partly cloudy
Sutton faced 6 batters in the 3rd.
