Schneider helps FMU sweep softball twinbill from Lander

FLORENCE, SC - Sophomore centerfielder Destinea Schneider collected five hits and her hits started game-winning rallies in both games of Sunday's (March 7) Peach Belt Conference doubleheader as Francis Marion University swept a pair of games from Lander University, 4-3 and 3-2.

In game one, Schneider's single to left field began a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning that ended on Jessica Birchmeier's RBI single to center as FMU prevailed 4-3.  In the second game, an infield single by the speedy Schneider sparked a three-run fifth frame as the Patriots went on to claim a 3-2 victory.

Francis Marion improves to 13-7 overall and evens its record in the PBC to 5-5, while Lander dips to 9-13 and 1-5.  The Patriots will play host to Columbus State University on Wednesday for a 1 p.m. PBC twinbill.

In the opener, junior right-hander Cea Knox collected the win as she allowed only seven hits and two earned runs, while striking out five.  At the plate, she also rapped out a double.

Schneider was 2-for-3, as was junior right fielder Chelle Phillips, who also had a two-run double in the seventh-inning rally.

Leftfielder Marilyn Newman was 2-for-4 with an RBI to pace Lander.  The Bearcats also got a run-scoring single from Daisy Stewart and an RBI ground out from Casey Corbitt.  Shelby Spencer (3-7) was the hard-luck loser as she had held FMU to six hits and one run until the final frame.

Knox (5-3) tossed a four-hitter in the second contest, while walking only one.

Schneider had three hits in game two, while senior third baseman Kat Beauvais was 2-for-4.  Ashley Jaramillo had a run-scoring double.

Newman hit a solo home run for Lander in game two, while Haley Foster had an RBI fielder's choice grounder.  Amanda Hamby (2-3) was the losing pitcher, although only one of the three runs she allowed was earned.

   Destinea Schneider