FLORENCE, S.C. --- Tusculum University softball fell twice on Valentine's Day at the Swamp Fox Sizzler, hosted by Francis Marion. Day two of the event has been canceled due to impending rain.
Tusculum (3-5) hosts Emmanuel on Wednesday (Feb. 18) at Red Edmonds Field for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.
Game 1: Ferris St. 9, Tusculum 1 (5 inns.)
Four defensive errors by the Pioneers turned into six unearned runs for the Bulldogs as Ferris State run-ruled Tusculum in the day's second game.
TU got on the board in the first inning for their lone run of the contest. Brooke Smith bunted for a single and stole second. She scored on a Taylor Hancock double down the left field line.
Ferris State scored nine unanswered runs, tallying at least one run in the final four innings. The Bulldogs used a two RBI single in the second to take the lead, while adding a sacrifice fly in the third. FSU's biggest damage came in the fourth with five runs crossing the plate on four hits and another sacrifice fly. The clincher game with two outs in the fifth with a run scoring on an error.
Aleyia Satterfield (1-2) picked up the loss in her first collegiate start, going three innings. She allowed three unearned runs with two strikeouts. Natalie Spaitis got the two batters she faced out. Izzy Wilson did not record an out in her time, relenting four runs (three earned) on two hits. Catherine O'Donohue closed out the game against her former squad, tossing 1.1 frames with two unearned runs on three hits with a walk.
Game 2: No. 10 Francis Marion 5, Tusculum 1
The Pioneers hung tough with the 10th-ranked team in the nation, but offensive struggles doomed TU.
After a two-out double in the first, the Patriots drew three-straight walks to score first in the nightcap.
Ava Hallows launched the first home run of her collegiate career to lead off the third frame, tallying the Pioneers' only score of the contest.
FMU tacked on three runs with two outs in the fifth to retake the lead, including a solo homer.
The host scored one final time in the sixth to finalize the result.
Chelsey Stonesifer (2-3) pitched 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with five walks and four strikeouts. Spaitis returned in game two, once again getting both batters she faced out.
