Patriots add Columbia softball pitcher

Francis Marion University softball coach Stacey Vallee has announced the addition of Columbia native and Spring Valley High School product Rayna McClinton to the Patriot roster for the 2010 season. A 5-7 right-handed pitcher, McClinton is transferring to FMU from Chipola College and will have two years of eligibility.

This past spring, she compiled a 9-3 pitching mark with a 0.75 earned run average and 123 strikeouts in only 84 innings. She tossed six shutouts and opponents batted only .128 against her.

She was named to the Panhandle Conference first-team All-Conference squad as well as earning FCCAA Gulf District All-Tournament Team recognition.

McClinton played her freshman year at the University of Memphis, posting a 5-5 record with one save and a 5.56 ERA. Opponents managed only a .186 batting average against her, and she led Conference USA in fewest hits allowed.

She was a three-year letterwinner at Spring Valley, and as a senior was named All-State and played in the AAAA North/South All-Star Game where she earned MVP honors. She was also a four-time All-Region and All-Area pick.

“Rayna is a player who will bring us experience on the mound,” Vallee said. “She moves the ball well and throws hard from the right side. She is also brings some in-state talent to FMU, which we always like. She is going to be a great addition to our program in general and to our pitching staff in particular. We are happy that she has decided to choose FMU to continue her career.”

McClinton joins eight players who previously committed to the Patriots: infielder Tristan Faile of Lancaster, S.C., catcher-outfielder Olivia Ferguson of Roanoke, Va., catcher-first baseman Annie Hegar of Jefferson, N.C., catcher-infielder Meghan Heiser of Sacramento, Calif., right-handed pitcher Cea Knox of Myrtle Beach, left-handed pitcher Murphy McConnell of Milton, Ga., utility player Jamie Ross of Cape Coral, Fla., and right-handed pitcher Brittany Scoggins of Boiling Springs, S.C.

Francis Marion finished the 2009 season with a 32-19 record, and narrowly missed earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament.