FLORENCE, S.C. – The Francis Marion University women’s softball team will play host to its annual Patriot Invitational Tournament, Friday through Sunday (March 7-9) at the Freedom Florence Softball Complex.

The 32-team field includes four team listed in the NFCA Division II preseason Top 25 poll.

Games will start at 3, 5, and 7 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m., 1, 3, 5, and 7 p.m. on Saturday; and 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. on Sunday. One-day admission tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for youth.

On Friday, FMU will play Chowan University at 5 p.m. and Belmont Abbey College at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Patriots will meet Newberry College at 1 p.m. and Barton College at 3 p.m., while on Sunday, FMU will play West Virginia State University at 11 a.m. and Shepherd University at 1 p.m.

Heading into a March 5 doubleheader at Lander University, Francis Marion owned a 16-4 record.

Junior shortstop Shannan Tyson leads the Patriots in hitting at .455 and owns a 15-game hitting streak. Senior first baseman Monica Wofford leads FMU with 24 runs batted in.

The Patriot pitching staff consists of sophomore southpaw Michaela Wolf (11-2 record, 2.32 earned run average), senior right-hander Melanie Bisek (4-1, 2.65 ERA), and junior righty Jessie Alesi (1-1, 4.11).