Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Due West, S.C. – The Erskine Flying Fleet bats produced just 11 hits in losing both games (11-1, 5-0) to the Francis Marion University Patriots (18-16) this afternoon in non-conference softball action at the Erskine College Softball Complex.

Game One

Erskine trailed by just one run entering the 5^th inning when FMU erupted for 9 runs, highlighted by a grand slam by Megan Smith.

After allowing a home run to Ashley Burney in the first inning, Erskine pitcher Danica Newton (Mt. Pleasant, SC, Wando High School) settled down to only allow one hit over the next three innings.  In the fifth, FMU got to Newton with the first four batters reaching on three base hits and a walk.  At that point, Smith emptied the bases with her first home run of the season driving Newton from the game.

FMU's pitcher Taylor Luff limited the Fleet to just five hits over five innings.  She gave up one run in the first and shutout the Fleet over the next four innings.

Christine Long (Greer, SC, Greer High School) led the Fleet at the plate in the first game going 2 for 2 with a double.  Jacquie Hill (North Augusta, SC, North Augusta High School) and Ericka McCarson (Travelers Rest, SC, Travelers Rest High School) each had a double while senior shortstop Whitney Brown (West Columbia, SC, Airport High School) had an rbi single.

Game Two

Erskine's offensive struggles continued into the nightcap as the Flying Fleet lost 5 to 0.  FMU's Katie Carnes limited Erskine to just two hits through the first five innings.  Erskine's best scoring opportunities came in the last two innings.  With one out in the sixth, the Fleet loaded the bases on two hits by McCarson and Ashlyn Hicks (Caycee, SC, Brookland-Cayce High School) and an error but Carnes struck out the next two Fleet batters to end the threat.  In the seventh, Erskine got two singles by Long and Brown but again could not push a run across the plate.

Candace Fitch (Cherryville, NC, Burns High School) took the loss for the Fleet yielding four runs, two earned, on two hits and two walks over two innings.  Kaylin White (Columbia, SC, White Knoll High School) pitched three shutout innings in relief but the Fleet offense failed to capitalize on it.

Erskine's scheduled doubleheader against Tusculum on Thursday has been canceled.  The Fleet's next double header is against local rival Lander University next Tuesday.  The first game starts at 5:00 p.m.