FGCU Softball Spring Break Preview

After a series with UCF and Providence in the UCF Spring Fling Tournament, the FGCU softball team prepares themself for three non-conference home games against Ball State and Holy Cross.

Last Time Out:
The Eagles (10-9) were struggling after losing three straight home games against Wisconsin, FIU and UCF, but they bounced back winning of their three games against Providence University and losing a rematch game against UCF.

Batting wise, junior outfielder Kelsey Huff currently leads the team in hits (26), triples (3), and stolen bases (5).

Sophomore first baseman Racquel Fournet leads the team in RBIs (16) and walks (12).

Pitching wise, sophomore left-hander Riley Randolph is pitching a 5-2 record with a 2.94 ERA and 41 strikeouts.

The Eagles will play Holy Cross and Ball State in the first two games back home on Tuesday at 5:45 pm and 8 pm and then play Holy Cross a second time on Wednesday at 5 pm.

Scouting Holy Cross:
Holy Cross comes into the season with a 2-3 record after playing in the "Runnin' Bulldog Tournament" against Hampton, Gardner-Webb and Seton Hall.

The Crusaders are led by head coach Jen Lapicki. This is Lapicki's first season as head coach for the Crusaders after spending  three years previously as an assistant coach for the Princeton softball team.

Two batters to look out for with Holy Cross are Taylor Moss and Emily Krisanda.

Moss, the junior first basemen leads the team with a .500 batting average and in RBIs (6). Last year, Moss was named to the Academic All-Patriot League and Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.

Krisanda, a senior infielder, leads the team in hits (8) and is second behind Moss in batting average (.444)

Pitching wise, sophomore right-hander Alexandra Held is the ace of the pitchers Held throws a 2-0 record with a 3.44 ERA and nine strikeouts.

Scouting Ball State:
The Cardinals (6-12) were on a three-game winning streak before it was snapped by USF.

The players to expect, batting wise, are senior outfielder Rachel Houck and freshman catcher Janae Hogg.

Houck leads the team with seven home runs and in two of the 19 games she played, Houck hit two home runs in games against Drake and Towson.

Hogg, a recruit from Cathedral High School, has a team-leading .436 batting average with three home runs and 12 RBIs with two of them hit in the same game against Towson.

The week after spring break, FGCU will have their toughest challenge as they play No.1 Florida State in a doubleheader before playing Canisius, IUPUI, Drexel, Iowa State and Cleveland State in the Battle of the Beach Invitational. Afterwards, the Eagles will play Jacksonville for the start of conference play.