Patriot Softball sweeps Lander 4-2 and 3-0

FLORENCE, SC - Freshman right-hander Lauren Bubeck tossed a six-hit shutout in game two allowing fifth-ranked Francis Marion University to sweep a Peach Belt Conference softball doubleheader from Lander University, 4-2 and 3-0, Wednesday afternoon (March 4).

Junior lefty Michaela Wolf allowed no earned runs in game one and had two hits and two runs batted in during the Patriot win in game one.

Francis Marion moves 14-3 overall and evens its PBC mark at 2-2, while Lander drops to 8-12 and 0-4.

Wolf (7-2) struck out five and walked only one in the first contest. Her two-run single in the fifth inning added needed insurance as Lander plated unearned runs in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Senior center fielder Lakyn Bendle also had two hits for FMU, while driving in one run.

Third baseman Carrie Hudson (2-for-4) and designated hitter Lindsey Traynham (2-for-3) both had multiple hits for the Lady Bearcats in game one.

Bubeck (4-1) fanned four in game two, while walking no one. Senior first baseman Tamela Bell went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in game two. Senior catcher Kayla Ruede was 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Hudson also had two hits in game two for Lander. Right fielder Natalie Smith was 2-for-3 with a double.

Hayley Leissner (4-9) pitched both games for Lander. Only two of the seven runs against her on the day were earned.

Francis Marion will host the annual Patriot Invitational Tournament this weekend, Friday through Sunday, at Freedom Florence.

By Michael G. Hawkins