FERRUM, Va. -- Ferrum College dropped a pair of Conference Carolinas softball games at home to No. 12 Francis Marion University, falling 9-1 in the opener and 5-3 in the nightcap at Vickie Van Kleeck Field.

RECORDS
No. 12 Francis Marion 39-10, 23-5 CC
Ferrum 10-34, 3-25 CC

GAME ONE
Francis Marion used a pair of multi-run innings early to take control, scoring two runs in the second and three more in the third to build a 5-0 lead. The Patriots added two unearned runs in the fourth and capped their scoring with a two-run homer in the seventh. Ferrum broke through in the sixth inning when Emily Hopper delivered an RBI single to plate Abby Bradberry and avoid the shutout.

KEY STATS
Francis Marion: Paige Strickland 4-4, HR, RBI; Rylee Gray 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Jenna Walling HR, 2 RBI; SP Jenna Walling (W, 25-6) 7 inn, 4 hits, 1 ER, 12 K
Ferrum: Emily Hopper 1-3, RBI; Abby Bradberry 1-2, 2 BB, R; SP Emily Wood (L, 4-12) 7 inn, 12 hits, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

GAME TWO
Ferrum jumped out to an early lead in the nightcap, scoring three runs in the first inning behind RBI hits from Hannah Hooper and Samantha Smith along with a sacrifice fly from Kelsey Marshall. Francis Marion answered with three runs in the third inning to tie the game and then pushed across two runs in the seventh to complete the comeback. The Panthers threatened late but were unable to respond.

KEY STATS
Francis Marion: Mikaela Goss 2-3, 2 R, RBI; Paige Strickland 2-4, 2 RBI; SP Alyssa Poston (W, 10-2) 7 inn, 6 hits, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Ferrum: Laci Garrett 3-3; Hannah Hooper 1-3, RBI; Samantha Smith 1-2, RBI; Kelsey Marshall RBI; Chloe Constantino (L, 3-16) 4 inn, 6 hits, 2 ER

UP NEXT
Today's doubleheader was Ferrum's regular season finale. The Panthers must  now wait to hear from the league office regarding a possible bid into the Conference Carolinas Tournament.