Francis Marion moves to 29-8 overall and 9-5 in the PBC, while USCA is 19-24 and 5-9.  Between games of the Senior Day doubleheader, FMU honored its three seniors: pitcher Melanie Bisek, second baseman Allie Aleman, and first baseman Monica Wofford.

FMU sophomore southpaw Michaela Wolf (20-5) pitched a four-hitter in game one, and has now won 41 games in her two seasons as a Patriot.  She fanned six and walked no one.  In addition to Birchmeier’s perfect game, junior center fielder Lakyn Bendle went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs.

With FMU up 3-0 in the fourth inning, Bendle singled home Stevie Arrand.  Bendle’s good base running with one out – not running into a sure inning-ending double play, but making the second baseman take the one out at first – paved the way for Birchmeier’s two-run double.  Birchmeier ended the game due to the eight-run mercy rule with an RBI single through the right side with one out in the sixth inning.

Senior righty Kristen Cochran (5-12) was tagged with the loss as she allowed the first three runs, although only one tally was earned.  Third baseman Megan Lakes and shortstop Amber Driggers accounted for the Lady Pacers’ four hits with two safeties apiece.  One of Driggers’ hits was a double.

USCA scored the only run of game two in the second frame without the benefit of a hit.  With two outs and no one on base, USCA’s Jennifer Crump reached second when her pop-up in front of home plate was dropped.  She then came around to score when Krista Bashline’s deep fly ball to center field was dropped.

Flessate (8-8) struck out five and walked only one. Only once did the Patriots get a runner to third base, and Flessate got FMU’s leading hitter Shannan Tyson to ground out with two runners on in the fifth inning.

No player had more than one hit in the second game that featured a combined seven hits.  Lakes had her 17th double of the year for USCA in game two.

Bisek (7-2) was the hard-luck loser in game two, although she allowed only four hits and walked no one.