FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team lost a doubleheader at Francis Marion Tuesday by scores of 4-1 and 3-2.

The Pacers conclude the regular season with a record of 22-16 overall and 11-13 against league foes.

In the opener, head coach Jerry Snyder's team fell behind 3-0 through the first two innings, but continued to fight hard.

In the top of the third, Magan Thrower led off with a four-pitch walk. With one down, Victoria Burkett walked, pushing Dani Reeves to second, who had come in as a pinch hitter. However, a line-out and a groundout ended the threat.

Trailing 4-0 in the top of the fourth, Ashley Metts led off with a bloop single to right field. Sydney Murphy laid down an excellent sacrifice bunt, allowing Metts to scamper to second base, but back-to-back groundouts ended the inning.

Taylor Morgan was solid in the circle after the third inning. In the top of the seventh, Andrea Daring crushed a pitch over the left center field fence for a 221-foot round-tripper for the team's lone run of the game.

Morgan struck out four batters while taking the loss.

In the nightcap, Danielle Payne earned the start and shut the home squad down through the first four innings.

In the fifth stanza, Snyder's squad jumped on top with a run. Makenzie Barbor led off the inning and was promptly hit by a pitch. Samantha Chubb singled to left, pushing her to second base. Thrower singled through the left side, loading the bases.

The Patriots switched pitchers and Payne reached on a fielder's choice as Barbor was thrown out at the plate.

With one down, Victoria Burkett drew a full-count walk, plating Chubb. USC Aiken was unable to push any more runs across in the stanza, leaving three stranded.

FMU answered back with three in the bottom of the fifth inning for a 3-1 edge.

Daring led off the sixth with a single and Reeves went to second on a throwing error with one down as she came in as a pinch runner, but the team was unable to push another run across.

In the seventh, Burkett laced a one-out single to right center field. She was quickly erased when Murphy reached on a fielder's choice for the second out. However, Metts ripped a double to the gap that scored Murphy, but was called out at third base to end the game.

The Pacers return to action Friday in the PBC Tournament. First pitch and opponent will be determined in the near future.