FLORENCE, S.C. – The Barton softball team (8-10, 0-2) fell to No. 8 Francis Marion (20-2, 2-0), 7-0 and 10-6, Thursday evening in the Conference Carolinas opener at Patriots Stadium.
Game One – Francis Marion 7, Barton 0
The Patriots' Alyssa Poston (Hartsville, S.C.) improved to 10-1 on the year after throwing a four-hit shutout while striking out nine batters in the victory.
On offense, Francis Marion scored in every inning while Paige Strickland (Creedmoor, N.C.) and Kendal Miller (Braselton, Ga.) both finished with two hits and two runs batted in to lead the home team. Senior
Kierstin Cooper (Nashville, N.C.) (5-6) was tagged with the loss for Barton.
Game Two – Francis Marion 10, Barton 6
Strickland broke a six-all tie with the game-winning, bases-clearing triple in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Patriots finished off the sweep of the Bulldogs and ran their winning streak to 16 games.
Miller added a solo home run and also drove in three runs while Poston (11-1) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the victory.
For Barton, junior outfielder
Makenzie Cyzick (Dayton, Va.) led the visitors with three hits and two runs batted in but sophomore
Ali Bunch (Wilmington, N.C.) (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
Barton returns home to host Georgian Court in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at Noon at Jeffries Field while Francis Marion travels to Wilson, N.C., to take on Barton in a doubleheader on Wednesday starting at 1:00 p.m., at Jeffries Field.
