FLORENCE, S.C. – The Barton softball team (24-22, 13-11) lost twice in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader to Francis Marion (41-10, 20-4), 4-0 and 9-0, Saturday at the Patriots Complex.
With the sweep, the Patriots claimed the league's East Division Championship. Francis Marion improved to 30-4 on the season at home.
Game One – Francis Marion 4, Barton 0
The Patriots' Makayla Cuthbertson (Indian Trail, N.C.) hit a solo home run, Taylor Watford (Lamar, S.C.) added two runs batted in and Alyssa Poston (Hartsville, S.C.) threw a three-hit shutout to lead Francis Marion.
Poston struck out nine batters and improved to 23-4 on the season while senior
Miranda Holmes (Godwin, N.C.) (19-9) suffered the loss for the Bulldogs.
Game Two – Francis Marion 9, Barton 0 (five innings)
Watford drove in three more runs, Lauren Smallwood (Waycross, Ga.) hit a bases-clearing double and Jenna Walling (Johns Island, S.C.) (16-2) earned the win after allowing one hit in four innings of work as the Patriots run-ruled the Bulldogs. Holmes (19-10) suffered the loss for the visitors.
Barton and Francis Marion will next compete in the 2024 Conference Carolinas Softball Championship beginning on Thursday, April 25, at Tyger River Park in Duncan, S.C. The Bulldogs are the ninth seed in the league tournament and will face eighth-seeded King (26-22) on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., with the winner taking on Francis Marion later in the day at 5:00 p.m.
