DUNCAN, SC – Conference Player of the Year
Paige Strickland had two hits and drove in two runs as second-ranked and top-seeded Francis Marion University held off 10th-seeded Emmanuel University (Ga.) for a 7-4 win on Sunday evening (Apr. 27) to advance to the championship game at the 2025 Conference Carolinas Softball Tournament.
Francis Marion ups its record to 47-4 and equals the school record for most victories in a season by a Patriot athletic team – set by last year's softball squad. FMU will face eighth-seeded North Greenville University in the title contest at noon on Monday. To win their third consecutive tournament championship, the Patriots will have to beat the Trailblazers twice on Monday, including in the "if necessary" game at 2:30 p.m.
The double-elimination tournament is being played at Tyger River Park in Duncan, S.C.
All-Conference right-hander pitcher
Jenna Walling (17-1) pitched the opening five innings to earn the win. She allowed four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. The Johns Island, S.C., native regains sole possession of third place on the Patriot career pitching wins list with a 54-8 mark.
FMU sophomore righty
Abby Williams completed the final two innings to earn her first career save. She walked three, but did not allow a hit.
Francis Marion scored twice in the bottom of the first inning. Senior All-Conference outfielder
Emily Konz hit a one-out double to left center and moved to third on a single by Strickland. Konz then stole home, her 39th steal in 40 attempts this season – for a 1-0 advantage. After junior outfielder
Anderson Thrower walked, freshman catcher
Rylee Gray singled home Strickland to double the advantage.
Konz's hit also extended her hitting streak to 15 games.
The Patriots plated five runs in the second frame to lead 7-0 and chased losing pitcher Carly Forrester (8-8) from the circle. Both All-Conference shortstop
Madalyn White and Strickland registered two-run singles and senior third baseman
Peyton Gale scored Konz with a sacrifice fly to center field.
An RBI-double by Ciara Passmore in the fourth inning got the Lions (23-29) on the board. In the fifth inning, senior Jaryn Gibson blasted a three-run homer over the left field fence to close the gap to 7-4.
Emmanuel did load the bases with two outs in the sixth, but Williams escaped without allowing a run.
Junior first baseman
Tallulah Civoniceva and Strickland led FMU with two hits apiece.
#2 Francis Marion 7, Emmanuel University 4 (Apr 27, 2025 at Duncan, SC)
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Emmanuel University. 000 130 0 - 4 7 2 (23-29)
Francis Marion...... 250 000 X - 7 8 0 (47-4)
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Pitchers: Emmanuel University - C. Forrester; R. Garrett(2) and K. Lester. Francis Marion -
Jenna Walling;
Abby Williams(6) and
Rylee Gray;
Marlee McCormick.
Win-
Jenna Walling(17-1) Save-
Abby Williams(1) Loss-C. Forrester(8-8) T-1:45 A-98
HR EMMANUEL - J. Gibson.
Weather: Partly cloudy
C. Forrester faced 4 batters in the 2nd.
