Lady 'Canes swept by Francis Marion

Lady 'Canes swept by Francis Marion

AMERICUS – The Georgia Southwestern softball team scored a run in the seventh to force extra innings in Game 2 of its Saturday afternoon doubleheader with Francis Marion at Lady 'Canes Field, but eventually fell 6-3 in nine innings after losing Game 1, 8-1.

Southwestern falls to 4-8 overall and 0-4 in the Peach Belt. FMU improves to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the PBC. 

In the first game, GSW scored first when Katie Maddox doubled to center to score Nichole Griffin, giving the Lady 'Canes a 1-0 lead.

The Patriots erupted for five runs in the fourth inning and added three more in the sixth to get the win.

GSW starter Jessica Martin (3-2) surrendered five runs in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss. Casey Burns pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Cea Knox (4-0) tossed five scoreless innings of relief to earn the win.  

In Game 2, Katie Wooten scored for GSW in the bottom of the seventh to tie the contest at 2-2 and force extra innings.

In the ninth, Jessica Hogan drove in one run with a fielder's choice grounder for FMU, Olivia Ferguson plated two runs with a double, and Lindsey Brown drove home their final tally with a single to left field.

Gabby Buck drove home Hayley Knight with a single in the bottom of the frame to pull GSW within three runs. With two runners on base, Murphy McConnell relieved Knox and got the final two outs to earn her second save of 2011.

GSW starter Christie Shankle pitched eight innings, allowed four runs and nine hits, while walking four and striking out two.

Knox allowed five hits and two earned runs in 8 1/3 innings in game two.

Knight was the only Lady Hurricane player to record multiple hits in the nightcap.

Destinea Schneider, Ashley Jaramillo and Taylor Luff collected two hits apiece for the Patriots.

Southwestern returns to the diamond on Sunday to host UNC Pembroke in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.