NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC - The Franciscan softball team evened their record with their first season win today over Fitchburg State University, 4-0.

The Lady Barons came out of the gate ready to play. Freshman Sarah Keating was the starting pitcher for the Lady Barons and threw a complete game in her collegiate debut. Keating allowed only six hits, while striking out nine.

"Sarah pitched a great game today", said Coach Walker, "She did a really great job of hitting her spots and keeping the batters off balance with her change-up. Anytime we get pitching like that, we will be hard to beat."

The Lady Barons got their first run of the game in the second inning when freshman Anna Swierczewski lead off with a rocket off the center field fence giving for a double. After back to back walks from freshmen Faith Pokryfke and Jenny Massey, Swierczewski in position to score easily on a passed ball.

Keating would only need the one run for her shutout, but the Lady Barons did not hesitate to grow their lead in the fourth inning when Swierczewski hit a bomb over the left field fence for her first career collegiate home run. In the fifth inning, the offense continued when junior Kathleen Thompson ripped a single up the middle to drive in freshman Rachel Cooper and sophomore Allyson Weiss who both reached first base to start the inning.

"Anna hit both of her balls on the button and provides us with some serious power in the middle of the lineup. If Kat and Weiss (Allyson) keep getting on base in front of Anna, we should score a lot of runs this year." said Coach Walker.

The Lady Barons are back in action in North Myrtle, NC, tomorrow against Keystone State at 1:30 PM, and again against Cairn University at 5:30 PM. The games will be live streamed.