DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (13-26, 9-14 CC) split a doubleheader to close out the regular season against Francis Marion University (29-18, 15-9 CC) at the Erskine Softball Complex on Monday afternoon. A six-run second inning fueled the Fleet to a 7-5 win in Game 1 before FMU won Game 2, 15-2.
 
THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
Francis Marion leads the all-time series 14-5.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME 1: Erskine 7-5 Francis Marion
On the final day of the regular season, the Erskine offense came flying out of the gates as Kyndall Chandler ripped an RBI double in the very first inning to open the scoring. After a scoreless top of the second from starter Kaley Ingle, the Fleet blew the game wide open with a huge bottom of the second inning. Sydney McInnis lined a two-run double down the right field line before Chandler added another run-scoring hit to make it a 4-0 game. Then, Brooke Patterson launched a towering, three-run home run over the left field fence as the Fleet exploded for six runs in the inning and led 7-0. It looked as if Erskine was going to cruise the rest of the way with Ingle holding the Patriots offense in check. But Francis Marion refused to go quietly, scoring four times in the top of the seventh to make it a two-run game before recording an out. Ingle, though, reset and calmly set down the next three FMU batters to seal a 7-5 Erskine win in Game 1.

GAME 2: Francis Marion 15-2 Erskine (Final / 5 innings)
The Patriots flexed their offensive muscle in Game 2, scoring a run in the first and third innings before a nine-run fourth inning opened up an 11-0 lead for the visitors. Francis Marion added four more runs in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Faith Belue launched a two-run home run, her third big fly in the last four days. But, the Patriots won Game 2 by way of the run rule, 15-2 to earn a series split.


THE PLAYER
Kyndall Chandler was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in Game 1, including a pair of run-scoring hits in the first two innings that helped the Fleet quickly take a commanding lead.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine will be the No. 10 seed in the upcoming Conference Carolinas Tournament, starting on Thursday, where the Fleet will take on the No. 7 seed, UNC Pembroke (25-15, 14-10 CC). The Braves swept a doubleheader over Erskine in Pembroke back in late March.

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