Jaramillo's RBI double beats GCSU 2-1 at PBC Tourney

Freshman second baseman Ashley Jaramillo doubled home pinch runner Maria Goode in the sixth inning to lift seventh-seeded Francis Marion University to a 2-1 upset of second-seeded Georgia College & State University, Friday afternoon (April 17) at the 2009 Peach Belt Conference Softball Tournament.

Francis Marion improves to 30-17 and advances to winners' bracket play on Saturday against third-seeded USC Aiken at 11 a.m.  GCSU drops to 30-21 and falls into Saturday's losers' bracket, to play at 1:30 p.m.

Junior left-hander Michaela Wolf allowed only a first-inning home run to PBC Player of the Year Sherquita Bostick.  Wolf allowed only five hits, walked no one, and struck out five to improve her pitching mark to 18-9.

Senior righty Mandy Chandler (25-12) took the loss, although she allowed only five hits and moved into sixth place on the all-time NCAA Division II strikeout list with 1,174.

FMU tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning when senior catcher Kayla Ruede walked with the bases loaded to force in a run.  However, Chandler retired Stevie Arrand on a ground out to strand three runners.

In the top of the sixth, Jessica Birchmeier walked to lead off the frame and Goode was inserted as a pinch runner.  Chandler fanned Tamela Bell, but Goode advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Jaramillo then doubled into the left field gap and the ball rolled all the way to the fence scoring Goode with ease.

In the bottom of the seventh, Wolf hit the leadoff batter on an 0-2 pitch, but retired the next two batters on strikeouts.  Pinch hitter Haley Burnett reached on a two-out fielding error by Wolf to put runners on first and second with two outs.  Wolf then induced Allison Schwimer to ground out to Jaramillo between first and second base to end the game.

Jaramillo was 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Francis Marion, while Lindsey Swanson and Bostick both had two hits apiece for the Lady Bobcats.

      Ashley Jaramillo