FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion used the UNCP softball team's weakness in the fourth inning as its advantage in scoring eight runs to pull out the series sweep of the Lady Braves with the 8-0 shutout victory in game two of the doubleheader at FMU Softball Field.

UNCP (14-25, 3-11 PBC) registered only one hit as Brea Hartley singled to centerfield in the third inning. Francis Marion (28-12, 6-6) was led by Ashley Jaramillo with two hits and two RBI, while four others each posted one hit apiece. Olivia Ferguson collected two RBI as eight different athletes each scored one run.

Natalie Klemann (5-8) started in the middle for UNCP and went three innings as she allowed the first thee earned run on three hits. Starr Gilley entered into the game in the fourth inning and gave up four unearned runs before being relieved by Jamie Burwell. Burwell finished the final inning as she allowed one unearned run on one hit. Taylor Luff (7-2) spent all five innings in the circle for the Patriots.

The Lady Braves and Patriots were scoreless in the first three innings, but Francis Marion pulled away in the fourth as Jaramillo began the run with a single along the left field line before three-consecutive batter notched singles to bring the score to 2-0. 

Krissy Longstreet reached in a fielder's choice and scored another run in the process, while Ferguson crossed home plate on a throwing error by the pitcher. Using two additional singles and two fielder's choices, the Patriots scored their eighth run as 12 batters faced the UNCP pitching staff.

Francis Marion pulls ahead in the series with a two-game winning streak and leads the series with a 37-12 advantage. With the loss, UNCP suffers its eight-straight loss this season and the most losses in a streak since 2003. 

The Lady Braves will hit the road on Tuesday to battle Queens (19-21) in a Southeast Region matchup in Charlotte at Park Road Park. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 4 p.m.