FLORENCE, S.C. – Senior left fielder Jenna Sexton had two hits and drove in three runs to help lead Francis Marion University to a 10-6 win over Armstrong Atlantic State University and to a split of Saturday’s afternoon’s (Feb. 17) Peach Belt Conference softball doubleheader. AASU rallied to win the opener 5-4 as second baseman Natalie Vogler stroked a two-out, two-run single in the top of the six inning to plate the deciding runs.

Francis Marion is now 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the PBC, while the Lady Pirates are 2-2 and 2-2. FMU plays a twinbill at Wingate University on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

In the opener, FMU led 4-3 when Vogler came up with her game deciding hit. After AASU’s Kari Marsico led off the game with a solo home run, Francis Marion answered with three runs in the bottom of the first frame to take a 3-1 advantage.

Shortstop Allie Aleman went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Patriots. Freshman left-hander Michaela Woff (3-1) suffered her first collegiate defeat, although only three of the five runs she allowed were earned.

Marsico went 3-for-4 in the opener with three runs batted in, while Vogler was a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Pam Bykowski (1-0) got the win in relief.

Trailing 2-0 in the second game, Francis Marion plated five runs in the bottom of the third inning. AASU pulled to within 7-6 in the top of the fifth inning, but Sexton had a two-run single as FMU scored three times in the last of the inning to go up 10-6.

Following Sexton’s effort, Monica Wofford was 3-for-4 with an RBI and Janine Allen, Lakyn Bendle, and Aleman had two hits apiece. Wolf (4-1) relieved junior Melanie Bisek and got the win.

Shortstop Ashley Bain paced the AASU attack in game two with a 3-for-4 effort.  Both Marsico and Nicole Huddleston had two hits and an RBI. Florence native and AASU freshman righty Jessica Waters (0-2) was tagged with the loss as she allowed all 10 runs (six were earned).