HEPHZIBAH, GA – Armstrong Atlantic State University scored eight runs in the sixth inning to claim an 11-3 win over Francis Marion University, Friday afternoon (April 20) in the opening round of the 2007 Peach Belt Conference Softball Tournament.

The fourth-seeded Patriots fall to 34-15 and drop into the losers’ bracket where they will face UNC Pembroke at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The Patriots could play as many as four contests on Saturday in the double-elimination event. Fifth-seeded AASU (27-14) advances to face the Columbus State University/Lander University winner, Saturday at 11 a.m.

AASU scored twice in the top of the first and once in the fifth to lead 3-0. Francis Marion rallied to tie the score when senior left fielder Jenna Sexton belted a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth frame.

The Pirates then used six hits, two walks, two FMU errors, and a wild pitch to piece together their eight-run sixth.

Sexton was the lone FMU player with multiple hits as she was 2-for-3. Leadoff batter Shannan Tyson went 1-for-3 to extend her hitting streak to nine games.

Freshman left-hander Michaela Wolf (21-9) suffered the loss as she allowed 11 hits, while walking nine.

Left fielder Jessica Strong paced the AASU attack with two hits and three runs batted in. She was one of three Pirates with two hits. Freshman righty Jessica Waters (14-6) recorded the win as she allowed only six hits and struck out three.