Patriots rally for first-round 9-3 win

DUNCAN, SC – Senior right fielder Katie Smith doubled and homered to drive in three runs as 21st-ranked Francis Marion University rallied for a 9-3 win over ninth-seeded Barton College, Thursday (April 25) in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Softball Tournament. Top-seeded Francis Marion (42-10) equals its program record for wins in a season previously accomplished in 2023 and 1987. The Patriots advance to face the Young Harris College/Emmanuel University winner on Friday at noon. Barton (25-23) drops into the losers' bracket of the double-elimination event. FMU senior first baseman Taylor Watford tied the school record with three...