GREENWOOD, SC – Graduate student right-hander Jenna Walling belted a game-winning grand slam in game one and tossed a five-hitter in game two to help sixth-ranked Francis Marion University to a sweep, 6-0 and 2-1, of Lander University, Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 25) in non-conference softball action.
 
Francis Marion ups its record to 14-3. The Patriots will travel to Wingate University on Saturday (Feb. 28) for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.  FMU will open Conference Carolinas play on Tuesday with a 4 p.m. twinbill against local-rival UNC Pembroke.
 
In the first contest, Walling gave the Patriots an early 4-0 lead when she hit her first career grand slam, a drive that cleared the right-center field fence in the top of the first inning.  The runners prior to her at bat reached on a walk and two hit batters.
 
Senior left-hander Alyssa Poston pitched a six-hit shutout in game one.  The reigning Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week struck out five and walked five, while throwing 153 pitches en route to her 69th career win – 62 of which have come in a Francis Marion uniform.
 
Poston stranded the bases loaded in both the second and fourth innings as Lander (8-6) left 12 runners on base, including seven in scoring position.
 
Sophomores Reese Miller and Rylee Gray accounted for the final two runs in the top of the seventh with an RBI-single up the middle and a sacrifice fly.
 
Miller and senior left fielder Anderson Thrower both finished with two hits in the opener.
 
Lander sophomore Paige Sherman (4-1) was the game-one losing pitcher.
 
Walling (8-2) struck out six in the second contest without issuing a walk, and came within two outs of a shutout. The only run she allowed came on a solo homer with one out in the bottom of the seventh.  However, she recovered to retire the next two batters on a line out and a ground out to earn her 65th career victory.
 
Senior right fielder Paige Strickland broke up a scoreless deadlock with a leadoff home in the top of the fourth frame.  In the fifth, the margin doubled to 2-0 when junior designated player McKenzie Jewell hit a sacrifice fly to plate senior outfielder Mikaela Goss.
 
Thrower, Strickland, and senior infielder Rylie Webster accounted for the three Patriot hits in game two.
 
Sophomore Payton Schurlknight (1-1) was tagged with the loss.