Mars Hill splits with Chowan, Francis Marion

FLORENCE, S.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (1-5) split their games on day two of the Francis Marion Tournament, defeating Chowan (3-6) 9-0, but falling to FMU (12-1) 4-2.

GAME ONE: MHU 9, CHO 0

The Lions used a five-run sixth inning to clinch their first victory of the season, downing Chowan.

Leading 4-0 entering the frame, Maggie Langheim drilled a two-run home run to left field to put Mars Hill up by six.  Taylor Nilsson, later in the inning, cleared the bases with a two-run single to right center field, plating Brookelynn Nanney and Lauren Hudgins.  Nilsson later scored off of a Chowan throwing error.

Emiley Burriss opened the scoring with a RBI single in the top of the first that plated Cassidy Allen.  In the second, following Ashley Hamlin's RBI double, Ashley Evans plated Allen for her second run of the game with a RBI double to left center field.

In the top of the fifth, on the sacrifice bunt, Nilsson reached first off of a Chowan throwing error.  Nanney came home for the fourth run of the game.

Langheim recorded three of the Lions' 15 hits in the contest while Allen, Evans, Burriss, and Nilsson each added two.  Allen scored a team-high three runs.

Ashley Collins picked up the win in a complete game effort, allowing four hits and striking out 10 batters.  Megan Vincent was credited with the loss, allowing six runs on 10 hits in five innings pitched.

GAME TWO: FMU 4, MHU 2

The Patriots rallied in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs to down Mars Hill in five innings of play Sunday, completing the weekend sweep of the Lions.

Trailing 2-1 entering their final at-bats of the day, Francis Marion's Savana Rosson tied the game at two following a RBI double down the left field line, allowing Megan Matsil to score.  The game-winning run crossed home off of a sacrifice fly from Addie May that plated Sarah Harkins.  Danielle Karacson added an insurance marker with a RBI single through the left side that plated Liberty Schultz.

Mars Hill opened the scoring in the first as Ashley Evans drove home two runs with a double to right field, plating Maggie Langheim and Ashley Hamlin.  In the bottom of the third,the Patriots cut the deficit to one as Jordan Carlson scored Ashtyn Patterson off of a RBI single to right center field.

Katelyn Ellard picked up the win, her seventh of the season.  She allowed two hits while striking out three in three innings pitched.  Jennifer Poston was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in four innings pitched.

The Lions will hold their home opener on Wednesday, February 19 versus Mount Olive.  First pitch at Ponder Field is slated for a 1 p.m. start.