Patriots lasso Broncos; Sweep twinbill 14-2 and 20-5

FLORENCE, SC – Fifth-ranked Francis Marion University pounded out 35 hits, led by senior shortstop Shannan Tyson’s 6-for-8 afternoon, to sweep a non-conference doubleheader from Fayetteville State University 14-2 and 20-5, Sunday (Feb. 22) in women’s softball action.

Francis Marion improves to 12-1 overall, while Fayetteville State drops to 2-10. The Patriots play a pair of Peach Belt Conference road doubleheaders this week: at Augusta State University on Wednesday and at Columbus State University on Saturday.

After FSU took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame of game one, FMU freshman second baseman Ashley Jaramillo pounded her third home run of the season, a two-run shot, over the center field fence. The Broncos tied the score at 2-2 on an RBI-double by April Branch in the top of third inning.

However in the bottom of the frame, the first 10 Patriot batters all reached base and scored. Tyson had a pair of doubles in the inning, while both Kat Beauvais and Jessie Alesi had two-run singles and Jaramillo had a pair of run-scoring singles.

Junior right-hander Katie Campbell (3-0) recorded the win, while Alicia Frank (1-3) was tagged with the loss.

Both Tyson and Jaramillo were 3-for-3 in the opener, while Alesi finished the game 2-for-3.

Branch and right fielder LaTonia Gatling paced FSU with two hits apiece.

In the second contest, Francis Marion compiled 22 hits and scored seven runs in both the first and second innings and plated six runs in the fourth frame.

Senior center fielder Lakyn Bendle was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs, including her first home run in three seasons and third career shot. Tyson and junior designated player Michaela Wolf both collected three hits, with Tyson driving in four runs and Wolf two. Beauvais, Maria Goode, and starting pitcher Lauren Bubeck all rapped out two hits. Bubeck also had two RBIs as did first baseman Tamela Bell.

On the mound, Bubeck (3-1) allowed five hits, struck out six, and walked only one in 4.1 innings.

Branch had two more hits in the second game and drove in two runs. Kristen Britt (1-6) was the losing pitcher. FSU center fielder Dominique Mills also drove in a run with a ground out to shortstop.

Fayetteville State will play in the Methodist University Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

By Michael G. Hawkins