FLORENCE, S.C. – 23rd-ranked Kutztown rallied in the seventh inning to take host No. 6 Francis Marion into extra innings, but the Patriots walked it off 3-2 in 10 innings. A quick turnaround proved too much for KU as it was downed in the second game of the day Saturday, 10-0 in six innings to Flagler on day one of the Francis Marion Patriot Invitational in Florence, S.C.
 
The Golden Bears' record is now even at 3-3. They trailed 2-0 in the top of the seventh inning against FMU, but scored two runs with one out to tie the score. After two scoreless extra innings, the Patriots were helped by a KU throwing error to claim the victory. Having to go right back out on the field, the Maroon and Gold couldn't keep up with the Saints.
 
Samantha Paetow (Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg) went 4-for-6 at the plate with an RBI. Ashley Schulz (Oreland, Pa./Springfield) recorded two hits and an RBI, and each of Parker Kraus (Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) and Morgan Kocher (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) tallied a hit.
 
Kutztown is scheduled to play these two teams once more each tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 21, opening with Francis Marion at 1 p.m., and then Flagler at 3 p.m.
 
Francis Marion 3, Kutztown 2 (10 inn.)
 
Once again, with its backs against the wall just as it was in its final game of the season opening weekend two weeks ago, Kutztown delivered in the clutch. After six scoreless innings and just one hit, KU scored twice to tie the score, trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh, and recorded four hits, with Paetow and Schulz collecting RBI singles in back-to-back at-bats with one out to tie the score at 2-2. Taylor Gearhart (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) and Alexa Stevens (Jefferson Township, Pa./North Pocono) scored the runs for the Maroon and Gold.
 
Two-and-a-half extra innings would go by without either team being able to capitalize on the runner being placed on second base to start each frame. But in the bottom of the 10th, Francis Marion led off with a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to third with one out. The Patriots were then able to walk off winners on their home field after a Kutztown throwing error allowed the run from third to come home.
 
It was the longest game for the Golden Bears since they played a 10-inning game against East Stroudsburg in an NCAA Atlantic Regional game back on May 11, 2024, a 1-0 victory over the Warriors. Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg), who threw all 9.1 innings Friday, earned the complete game win in that game with ESU as Saturday was her longest outing since that May of 2024 game.
 
The Maroon and Gold defense had three errors, two of which allowed runs to be scored for Francis Marion, including its second run in the bottom of the third inning. The Patriots scored their opening run in the bottom of the first.
 
Five different batters recorded a hit for KU, including Paetow, Schulz, Kraus, Kocher and Stevens, all singles.
 
Flagler 10, Kutztown 0 (6 inn.)
 
After a long, extra inning game just prior, Kutztown had to take the field just a half an hour later and the fatigue showed as KU suffered its first shutout of the season and was doubled up in total hits (12-6).
 
Paetow had the big game, finishing 3-for-3 at the plate. Kraus, Kocher and Schulz each added a hit. The Maroon and Gold defense also committed two errors.
 
The Saints got on the scoreboard in their first at-bats, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, then added one in the third, four in the fourth and three more in the sixth to end the game early.

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