FLORENCE, S.C. -- Bailey Presley had three hits and scored two runs, but Francis Marion swept a doubleheader over Belmont Abbey 4-1 and 15-7 in Conference Carolinas softball action Wednesday evening.

The results mark the first time in six doubleheaders this season that the Crusaders have not split. They fall to 10-18 overall and 5-7 in league play, while the Patriots improve to 27-9, 5-7.

THE OPENER

• Presley and Marlie Stillwell were the only two Crusaders to hit safely in the contest.
• After falling behind 1-0 in the second inning, The Abbey tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the third. Shelby Sosebee was hit by a pitch and replaced by pinch runner Ruthie Allen. After Stillwell's single and a a sacrifice bunt, Hallie Mele grounded out to third to bring home Allen.
• The Patriots answered with single runs in the third, fourth and sixth for the final margin.
• Adeline Cox (0-3) took the loss, allowing four runs over six innings pitched. She walked one and struck out a pair.

THE NIGHTCAP

• Presley, Sydney Pon and Mackenzie Sprinkle each had two hits in the contest. Four others tallied one hit as the team registered 10 total.
• The Crusaders opened an early 4-0 lead with two runs in both the first and second innings. The first pair were unearned after a throwing error allowed two runners to score. Another error led to a 3-0 lead before Sprinkle's sacrifice fly scored Mele.
• Francis Marion erupted for 12 runs bottom of the second to take a commanding lead.
• The Abbey tried to rally with an RBI single by Trinity Wall in the third and an fielder's choice and wild pitch in the fourth.
• Adison Yoder (6-5) pitched the first 1.1 innings before giving way to Cox.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey opens a 10-game homestand on Saturday against North Greenville.
• The teams will meet at 1 p.m. at Crusader Field.