Categories: College University Athletics

Francis Marion Softball Team Concludes Historic Season

The local community turned out in full force to support the Francis Marion softball team during the super regional.

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News Summary

The Francis Marion University softball team wrapped up a memorable season, hosting its first-ever super regional but ultimately falling short to North Georgia. Despite the heartbreaking end, the Lady Patriots achieved a record-breaking 53-6 season, showcasing exceptional talent and community support. The team’s journey saw standout performances, including a school record in RBIs by a junior outfielder and an impressive grand slam during the super regional series. While the loss was disappointing, the season marked a significant milestone in the program’s history.

Florence – The Francis Marion University softball team concluded its historic season with a bittersweet ending, losing in the super regional round to the University of North Georgia. This marked the first time the program hosted a super regional and aimed to advance to the NCAA Division II Championship. After a commendable season, the Lady Patriots fell short, finishing with a remarkable 53-6 record, the best in the history of the Francis Marion athletic program.

During the super regional, which was held at Francis Marion, the Lady Patriots faced North Georgia in a best two-out-of-three series. The series commenced with a tightly contested first game, ending in a 5-4 loss for the Lady Patriots after extra innings. However, the team rallied back in the second game, securing a decisive 9-0 victory that forced an “if necessary” game. Unfortunately, in the final game of the series, Francis Marion was unable to clinch the win, losing 5-3. This loss eliminated them from the tournament, while North Georgia advanced to the Division II World Series with a season record of 48-14.

Throughout the super regional and the season, Francis Marion garnered significant support from the community. Thousands of fans attended the games, contributing to an electrifying atmosphere that fueled the players. The increased attendance also stimulated the local economy. Nearby businesses, including Wholly Smokin’ BBQ, experienced a surge in customers during the tournament as fans filled the area to support the team. Florence Mayor Lethonia Barnes highlighted the positive economic impact of the sports event, noting that such occasions brought in visitors and additional revenue to the city.

Statistically, the season proved to be one of great achievement for the Lady Patriots. Junior outfielder Paige Strickland played a pivotal role in the team’s performance, hitting two significant runs in the final game, which helped her set a new school record with 84 runs batted in for the season. Meanwhile, junior shortstop Madalyn White showcased her consistency by extending her hitting streak to 20 games, which ranks as the third longest in the history of the program.

In the second game of the super regional, the Lady Patriots scored three runs in the first inning and featured an impressive grand slam by Samantha Turnage, showcasing the team’s offensive strength. In the series finale, starting pitcher Walling faced challenges, allowing four runs on seven hits across four innings of play, contributing to the team’s struggle to maintain momentum against their opponent.

The crowd attendance reached 192 for the super regional games, illustrating the strong local support for the Francis Marion team as they competed at this crucial level. The overall performance throughout the season, including winning a conference championship for the third consecutive year, showcased the potential and growth of the program.

Despite the disappointment of not advancing further in the tournament, the achievements of the Francis Marion softball team will be remembered as a high point in the program’s history. The combination of a successful season, local community support, and highlighted individual performances paints a promising picture for the team’s future as they look to build upon this historic run.