WILSON, N.C. – The Barton softball team (16-16, 5-5) fell twice in a home Conference Carolinas doubleheader to Francis Marion (31-8, 10-2), 4-1 and 9-7, Tuesday afternoon at Jeffries Field.
Game One – Francis Marion 4, Barton 1
The Patriots broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the sixth inning while Mikaela Goss (Fuquay-Varina, N.C.) added a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to lead Francis Marion to the win.
The Patriots' Makayla Cuthbertson (Indian Trail, N.C.) finished with three hits and scored the game-winning run while Alyssa Poston (Hartsville, S.C.) improved to 17-3 with the complete game victory. Poston allowed just one run on two hits while striking out eight batters.
Barton senior
Miranda Holmes (Godwin, N.C.) fell to 12-6 on the season despite going the distance as well and striking out 11 batters.
Game Two – Francis Marion 9, Barton 7
Francis Marion's Taylor Watford (Lamar, S.C.) hit a grand slam to cap off a five-run fourth inning to break all two-all and Cuthbertson added a solo home run in the first game to lead the Patriots to the sweep.
Watford finished with seven runs batted in and Abby Williams (Cumming, Ga.) (2-3) earned the victory on the mound after going the distance and striking out four batters.
Barton lost despite the play of junior pitcher and designated player
Gracelyn Massey (Princeton, N.C.), who went three-for-three with three runs scored, two doubles, four runs batted in and a three-run home run.
Barton returns to the field on Friday when the Bulldogs host Converse in a league doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m., while Francis Marion hosts UNC Pembroke on Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.
