AIKEN, SC – Sophomore lefty Michaela Wolf and junior right-hander Jessie Alesi combined to toss a five-hitter and Jessica Birchmeier drilled a three-run homer as Francis Marion University defeated the University of Charleston (W.V.) 6-1 in its season-opening game at the early Bird Tournament in Aiken. However, the Patriots lost their second game 14-6 in a slugfest with West Virginia Wesleyan College.
The 1-1 Patriots will return home to entertain Georgia Southwestern State University in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at 2 p.m. on Monday.
In addition to earning the win in the opener, Wolf also collected two hits. Outfielder Lakyn Bendle and first baseman Monica Wofford also had two hits in the Patriot win.
Wolf (1-1) took the loss in the second contest as she allowed 11 runs in four innings. The two teams combined for 23 hits.
FMU senior shortstop Allie Aleman laced a two-run homer and double in four plate appearances, while Shannan Tyson, Kat Beauvais, Birchmeier, and Bendle also rapped out two hits apiece.
