Patriots knocked from PBC Tournament just shy of title game

FLORENCE, SC - Junior right-hander Toni Flessate tossed a five-hitter and drove in a pair of runs to carry third-seeded and 18th-ranked USC Aiken to a 3-1 win over seventh-seeded Francis Marion University, Sunday (April 19) in the final game of the losers’ bracket at the 2009 Peach Belt Conference Softball Tournament.

Francis Marion falls to 32-19 with an outside shot at receiving an invitation to the NCAA Division II national tournament. USCA (34-13) swept four games from the Patriots this season and advances to face top-seeded and second-ranked North Georgia College & State College in the championship game later Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

The Patriots only got two runners to second through the first six meetings. Trailing 3-0 in the top of the seventh, FMU scratched across one run. Ashley Jaramillo and pinch hitter Katie Campbell singled and moved up to second and third on a ground out. Shannan Tyson’s two-out grounder to shortstop was booted allowing one run to score, however Flessate induced Lakyn Bendle to ground out to end the game.

Pacer shortstop Lauren Locklear led off the third inning with a solo home run. Following a hit batter, an FMU error, and a sacrifice bunt, Flessate laced a two-run single to left upping the USCA lead to 3-0.

FMU junior southpaw Michaela Wolf (20-11) allowed seven hits and two earned runs, while striking out four and walking no one. Flessate fanned three and also issued no walks.

Tamela Bell, Kayla Ruede, Kat Beauvais, Jaramillo and Campbell accounted for the five Francis Marion hits.

Locklear ended the day 3-for-4, while Flessate was 2-for-3.

This marks the second straight year, Francis Marion came within one game of the tournament title contest.