FLORENCE, S.C. – The Barton softball team (16-18, 7-7) lost twice in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader to Francis Marion (31-9, 11-5), 8-0 and 8-7, Wednesday afternoon at Patriots Stadium.
Game One – Francis Marion 5, Barton 0 (five innings)
The Patriots plated five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to run-rule the Bulldogs capped off by a solo home run from Danielle Karacson (Bartow, Fla.). Earlier in the frame, Megan Matsil (Indian Trail, N.C.) hit a three-run round-tripper.
The Patriots' Jenna Walling (Johns Island, S.C.) threw a six-hitter while striking out five batters to improve to 16-3 on the season while Barton junior
Miranda Holmes (Godwin, N.C.) (3-5) took the loss.
Game Two – Francis Marion 8, Barton 7
Karacson walked off the game with a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Patriots rallied from a 6-2 deficit in the middle of the third inning to complete the sweep of the Bulldogs. Karacson drove in four runs while teammate Avery Bellai (Monroe, N.C.) added a two-run home run. Francis Marion pushed its winning streak to six games as well.
Sophomore designated hitter
Gracelyn Massey (Princeton, N.C.) hit a three-run home run in the top of the third frame and finished with four hits and four runs batted in despite the losing effort. Barton senior third baseman
Lindsey Massengill (Pine Level, N.C.) added three hits and two RBI while Holmes (3-6) suffered the loss.
Francis Marion's Jordan Rivera (Las Cruces, N.M.) improved to 2-0 after earning the victory in relief. Rivera struck out five batters while allowing just one run in four and two-thirds innings of work.
Barton returns home to host Winston-Salem State on Saturday beginning at Noon for Senior Day while Francis Marion travels to Franklin Springs, Ga., to take on Emmanuel in a league doubleheader Friday at 1:00 p.m.
