FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University softball team will unveil its new 300-seat stadium on Tuesday afternoon (April 17), as the Patriots play host to the sixth-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University Pirates for a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.

Admission is free.

Saharah, the Patriots’ 8-year-old adopted team member, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Tuesday. The team’s relationship with Saharah was established through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ), a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors.

The Patriots (31-15, 8-8) currently sit in fifth place in the PBC standings, as Armstrong (41-8, 17-1) sits atop the conference, winners of its last 15 games. The Pirates lead the all-time series with the Patriots 26-11.

Francis Marion is led offensively by junior third baseman Tristan Faile (.380 average, 6 home runs, 35 runs batted in), sophomore outfielder Sara Broderick (.359 avg), and senior second baseman Ashley Jaramillo (.311 avg., 6 home runs. 38 RBIs).

Armstrong is paced by the nation’s leading hitter, April Jowers, who enters the game batting at a .595 clip.

A trio of right-handed pitchers have seen substantial innings this season for the Patriots: senior Kayla Ellingsen (11-6 record, 1.86 earned run average), freshman Katie Carnes (10-5, 1.93 ERA), and sophomore Taylor Luff (9-4, 2.02 ERA).

The doubleheader is a rescheduled match-up between the two schools that was rained out earlier in the season.

The eighth-ranked FMU baseball team will also be in action on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. as the Patriots will play host to St. Andrews University. Francis Marion owns a 30-13 record, while the Knights will bring an 11-33 mark into Tuesday’s contest at the new Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium.

The Patriots beat St. Andrews 14-1 last month in Laurinburg, N.C.

Admission to the baseball game is $8 for adults and $5 for students (FMU students are admitted free with ID).

#105/4-16-12