FMU SWEEPS #21 BLUE HOSE

FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University sophomore right-handers Sam Goff and Jessica Johnson pitched one- and two-hitters respectively as the Patriots swept a non-conference doubleheader from 21st-ranked Presbyterian College, Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 15) in women's softball action.

Goff (5-1) allowed only a fourth-inning infield single as FMU took the opener 2-0, and the Blue Hose managed only two singles against Johnson (4-0) in game two as the Patriots prevailed 8-0 in six innings.

FMU improves to 9-1, while the Blue Hose (4-2) suffer their first defeats of 2005.  Francis Marion is now 79-10 over the past 11 seasons during the month of February.

The Patriots will play host to Mount Olive College for a doubleheader, Thursday at 1 p.m. Presbyterian plays at Anderson College, Friday at 2 p.m.
 
In the opener, Francis Marion leadoff hitter Betsy Bouknight singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on an RBI double by sophomore second baseman Tatjana Slawson.  That proved to be the only run Goff would need as she struck out eight, while walking only one batter.

FMU scored an insurance run on an RBI infield single by freshman shortstop Allie Aleman in the fifth frame.  Aleman was the only player with two hits in the opener.  Presbyterian’s lone safety was a ball hit up the middle by Rachel Bailey that Slawson dove and fielded, but had no play on at first base.

Presbyterian junior righty Samantha Slater (1-1) was the loser, despite allowing only three hits in 4.1 innings.
 
In game two, Aleman collected two hits, scored twice and drove home one run, while sophomore third baseman Janine Allen was two-for-three with a run scored.  Bouknight had one hit, drove home two runs, and scored once as the Patriots pounded out 11 hits.  Two infield errors by Presbyterian helped lead to three runs in the second inning that gave FMU a 3-0 advantage.  The Patriots added a single run in the fourth and two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings.

Sophomore Jessica Flanagan (1-1) was tagged with the loss, although only one of the four runs she allowed was earned.

Bailey and Jessica Peterka had the lone Blue Hose hits in the second contest.

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score