Pirates' Season Ends With 5-4 Loss To Francis Marion In NCAA Regionals

PEMBROKE, N.C. (May 10) - The Armstrong Atlantic State softball squad's postseason run came to a close early Saturday afternoon with a 5-4 loss to Francis Marion at the 2008 South Atlantic Regional in Pembroke, N.C. The Pirates finish third in the regional, a third straight season in which AASU has finished among the top three teams in the region field.

The Pirates held a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning after plating three against the Patriots. Ashley Bain stroked a two-out run-scoring single through the left side to knot the score at 2-2.  A second run scored on the play when the throw from the left fielder got past the catcher and Bain went all the way around to third. Jessica Strong then completed the scoring by plating Bain with a single to left.

With one out in the top of the next inning (sixth), Francis Marion used three hits, two walks, and an error to score three times and take a 5-4 lead.  With the bases loaded, Shannan Tyson hit a bloop to short left field that scored the first run and all runners moved up one base as the throw to third was dropped on what would have been a force out.  After a strike out for the second out, Wofford drilled her two-run single to left giving FMU a 5-4 lead.

Sam Floyd and Strong each collected two hits for the Pirates. AASU placed two players on the All-Region Tournament team - senior Kari Marsico and sophomore Tori Richter.