During the season, the team played several teams for their tough season. Aside from playing against UCF, FAU, FIU and USF, the Eagles also got the opportunity to play in the Triple Crown Sports Puerto Vallarta Challenge. Although they went 1-4 in the tournament, the Eagles did manage to beat Fresno State, who was ranked No. 21 in the nation at the time and played against FSU, who was No. 1 in the nation despite losing both games. It was an experience though for the team.
Of course at all the softball games I attended, I always do my cheer every time we score: "FGCU Let's Get Hype, Whoop There It Is!"
The team is led by head coach David Deiros, who is entering into his 15th season as head coach and is considered the "founding father" of FGCU softball.
Deiros, a Naples native, was a graduate of USF and became a chemistry teacher and a coach at Lely High School. Deiros coached football, girls' basketball, baseball and, of course, softball.
In his first year as head coach at FGCU, Deiros led the team to a astonishing 57-7 record and their first invitation to the NCAA National Tournament in just their second year of eligibility for postseason play. He did so well that he won Division I-II All-Independent Coach of the Year three consecutive times as well as the memorable moment in 2012 when the Eagles went to the NCAA College Softball National Tournament and beat the gators in their opening game.
In the 2016 season, Deiros was named Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year and helped Louie Ross, Ashley Dobson and Makensie McAvoy to their successful senior years.
When I first met coach Deiros, I was a little nervous because he seemed very intimidating to speak to, let alone meet in person, but after a while in the season, he was actually pretty nice. This season, he is going to rock the house for the softball team.
With the departure of assistant coaches Erika Bennett and Lindsay Ubrun, it seemed hard to find replacements for them, but that was not the case. Deiros found two perfect candidates: Jamie Kertes and Jaime Edwards.
The first is Jamie Kertes.
A native of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, Kertes enters her first season as an assistant coach and will be working primarily with pitching and at first base.
Prior to FGCU and coaching, Kertes started her softball career as a player for Bowling Green State University of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
From her freshman to senior year, Kertes was a stronghold for the Falcons. In her four-year career at BGSU, Kertes set career pitching records for appearances (176) and games started (111), third on the BGSU career lists for strikeouts (512) and shutouts (23) and fourth in school history in wins (52) and strikeouts per seven innings (5.17) and fifth in innings pitched (693 1/3).
After her senior year, Kertes took a position as an assistant coach for Stony Brook for a two-year stint where she coached the Seawolves to the second-lowest ERA in the American East Conference.
With her pitching experience, Kertes is gonna make great impact for the rotation of FGCU's pitchers.
The other coach joining the fray is Jaime Edwards.
Edwards, a native of Austin, Texas, enters her first season as an assistant coach and will be working mainly with fielding.
Prior to FGCU and her coaching career, Edwards played for the University of Houston of, at the time, Conference USA (C-USA). At the plate, Edwards hit .277 with 18 doubles and eight home runs while driving in 67 runs. Edwards sits fourth all-time in fielding percentage (.987), while holding career- and single-season marks for double plays turned (64, 24). In addition, Edwards was a three-time NFCA Academic All-American and a member of the 2012 Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
After her playing career at Houston ended, Edwards went to coach at NCAA DII West Texas A&M of the Lone Star Conference for two years. During that time, she was a member of the 2016 NFCA South Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year and helped the Lady Buffs finish 59-5, winning Super Regionals and making an appearance in the Division II Spring Sports Festival. Last year saw West Texas A&M once again make it to Regionals behind a 49-11 record.
With a new wave returning to DI, Edwards will surely show what she's made of.
With a new team means a new wave of players coming and returners returning.
FGCU lost catcher Brianna Tourtillott, catcher Amber Plaza, pitcher Taylor Wade, second baseman Jeanie Verderese and former FGCU swimmer Evita Leter as they graduated.
Juniors Caley Chapel and Morgan Sutherland, sophomore Ariana Branstiter and senior Gabbee Draney have parted ways from the team.
Nonetheless, this year's team consists of eight seniors, two true juniors, four transfers (two sophomores and two juniors), one true sophomore and eight freshman.
The six seniors have been the backbones for the softball team: Natalie Lopez (OF), Emily Demrius (2B), Kelsey Huff (OF), Ashley Swiderski (2B), Brittany McGuire (1B/3B), Erica Ward (1B/3B), Bri Innamorato (SS/3B) and LuLu Newmark (C).
The first of eight seniors is my best friend: Natalie Lopez.
The 5-6 outfielder from Miami, Florida has a lot of fire to make the place burn down and a striking fielding ability like a napalm strike.
In her freshman year, Nat started 30 of her 50 games played batting a .328 batting average with 21 hits, six RBIs, 14 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. She also had an .871 fielding percentage.
When sophomore year came around, her batting average went down to .268 and had one RBI, but she had 22 hits, 22 runs, and seven stolen bases. Lopez also had .983 fielding percentage, and to make matters much sweeter, Nat made a Sportscenter Top 10 Play nomination during the A-Sun Conference softball tournament making a diving catch against Kennesaw State.
In her junior year, Lopez started all 59 games where she batted .333 with 54 hits, 24 runs, eight RBIs, 20 stolen bases and a .988 fielding percentage.
With her quick fielding, Nat will strike down more than just stopping the ball from hitting the ground.
If you need a player who can play strong on the field as well as play the drum on the bench to get the team fired up, then you're looking at Emily Demurias.
The 5'4 infielder from Miami, Florida is a drumming sensation.
In her freshman year, it was not her strongest year. Starting four of her 30 games she played, Demurias batted .150 with three hits, two runs, two RBIs, and a stolen base.
When sophomore year came, she got better and played mainly as a pinch runner. Starting eight of her 36 games played, Demurias batted .214 with three hits, 10 runs and a stolen base.
In her junior year, Demurias started nine of her 41 games played, Demurias batted .174 with four hits, nine runs, one RBI, and one stolen base.
This season, Demurias will surely make impact for her last season.
If you see someone that has the speed like the Flash, then you just saw Kelsey Huff.
The 5'7" outfielder from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida can show it more than tell it.
In her freshman year, Huff started 39 of the 48 games, batting .331 with 40 hits, 31 runs, seven RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. She also had 12 multi-hit games and did so well that she was named to the A-SUN All-Freshman team.
When sophomore year came, Huff got better starting 58 of her 59 games played while hitting .366 with 75 hits, 46 runs, eight doubles, a triple, a home run, 20 RBIs and a team-leading 25 stolen bases. She earned A-SUN All-Conference Second Team honors for her hard work.
It was Huff's junior that made it worth while. Starting all 60 games, Huff batted .363 with 77 hits (three doubles, six triples), 21 RBIS and 29 stolen bases. She did so well that she earned A-SUN All-Conference First Team honors.
With her speed, Huff will show that she can blow the house down.
Taking over for Verderese in the huddle is Ashley Swiderski.
The 5'6" second baseman from Naples, Florida will give it all she's got.
In her freshman year, Swiderski was off to a rocky start. She started 17 of her 33 games played and batted .042 with 2 hits, 5 RBIs and 2 runs.
Unfortunately, in her sophomore Swiderski did not play the whole season due to injury and used a medical redshirt, but her redemption season came into play drastically junior year as she got better. Swiderski batted .163 with 17 hits, 13 runs, five doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBIs and stolen base.
For Swiderski, her redemption will continue to make wonders.
You want a player who has a great amount of power, then you can turn to Brittany McGuire.
The 5'8" third baseman/first baseman from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida has the power to knock down Mt. St. Helens.
In her freshman year, she started 42 of her 45 games batting .223 with 25 hits, eight doubles, 23 runs, four home runs, 26 RBIs and four stolen bases.
In her sophomore year, McGuire did not have the best season and missed a little over a month due to injury, but came back. She started 11 of the 35 games batting .163 with nine hits, three doubles, two home runs, three runs and nine RBIs.
In her junior year, McGuire's redemption came into play at good measures. Starting 55 of her 56 games played, McGuire batted .219 with 33 hits, nine doubles, one triple, four home runs and 18 RBIs.
For McGuire, she will show her power game is ready for one more round.
The next person is someone who I have known for a good while personally from another collegiate level and that's Erica Ward.
The 5'8" junior third baseman from Jacksonville, Florida was one of Deiros top recruits to come play for FGCU last year.
Prior to FGCU, Erica played for State College of Florida (SCF) of the Suncoast Conference in NJCAA Region 8. She originally played catcher and occasionally shortstop for SCF.
In her freshman year, she batted .353 with 47 hits, 13 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, and 24 RBIs.
When sophomore year came, Ward batted .331 with 11 home runs, 47 RBIs and scored 43 runs.
When I heard that she signed her National Letter of Intent (NLI) with FGCU last year, I was so happy for her to join.
In her junior year at FGCU, Ward went on a tear in the beginning of the season. Starting 12 of her 15 games played, she batted .273 with nine hits, three runs, one double, one triple, one home run and eight RBIs before ending her season early due to a knee injury.
With the road to recovery, Ward will get the redemption she deserves.
Next up to the plate (no pun intended) is my other best friend: Bri Innamorato.
The 5'9" infielder from Mullica Hill, New Jersey can play every infield position at anytime as well as designated hitter.
In her freshman year, Bri had a little rocky start. Starting six of her 25 games, Innamorato batted .111 with two hits and a stolen base.
By the time sophomore year came around, Innamorato got better. Starting 44 of her 52 games played, Innamorato batted .233 with 28 hits, 10 runs, 13 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases. She did so well that she earned A-SUN Second Team All-Conference Honors.
It was Innamorato's junior year that turned heads. In the first four games, she batted .875, which led the nation. She finished batting .265 with 40 hits, seven doubles, two home runs, 20 RBIs and six stolen bases. She earned A-SUN Second Team All-Conference Honors for the second-straight season.
For Innamorato's final season, she will make her presence known that she's coming.
Lastly on the team for seniors is LuLu Newmark.
The 5'3" catcher from Pembroke Pines, Florida can bring the rhythm to the bat.
Prior to FGCU, LuLu played for Bowling Green of the Mid-American Conference. Starting 13 of her 19 games played, she batted .120 with three hits, one run and four RBIs.
When she transferred her sophomore, LuLu made a great transition at FGCU. Starting 24 of the 33 games she played, Newmark batted .226 with 14 hits, three doubles, three runs, one home run and nine RBIs.
In her junior year, it was Newmark's time to shine. Starting 43 of her 49 games played, Newmark batted .217 with 25 hits, two doubles, two triples, four home runs and 11 RBIs. She did so well that she was named on the A-SUN Conference All-Tournament Team.
For Newmark, she will bring plenty of rhythm to make the magic happen.
The returning juniors on the team are very impacting for the backbone: Riley Randolph (LHP) and Racquel Fournet (OF).
The first of two is who I can consider to be my twin is Riley Randolph. The 5'8" left-handed pitcher from St. Petersburg, Florida has enough pitching power to make Aroldis Chapman go "WHAAAATTT."
In her freshman year, Riley tore the opposing teams' houses down as the starting ace pitcher. In 33 games, Riley had a record of 16-5 with a 1.39 ERA, 10 complete games (six shutouts), four saves and 123 strikeouts. She was so successful, she was named A-Sun Freshman and Pitcher of the Year, A-Sun First Team honors, A-Sun All-Conference Freshman Tean and Third Team NFCA All-South Region honoree.
In her sophomore year, Randolph, remaining as the ace pitcher, produced an 18-11 record with a 2.06 ERA, 19 complete games (four shutouts), two saves and 160 strikeouts. She was named on the A-SUN Conference All-Tournament Team for her hard work.
Riley is definitely going to be a powerful asset to the pitching rotation yet again.
The other junior that also known for being called "Rac City" is Racquel Fournet.
The 5'6" first baseman turned returned outfielder from Windermere, Florida is the main natural lefty for the power game.
In her freshman year, as a first baseman, Fournet took the power game by storm. Starting all 59 games she played in, she batted .354 with 63 hits, 18 runs, a team-leading seven home runs, 45 RBIs and one stolen base. She did so well that she was named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team and earned A-Sun First Team honors.
In her sophomore year, still at first base, Fournet started all 60 games she played in. She batted .299 with 49 hits, 31 runs, 16 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 41 RBIs and three stolen bases, thus earning Second Team All-Conference honors as well as her first career All-Academic Team selection.
For Fournet and her new found role returning to the outfield, she's here to show the world that "Rac City" is ready.
FGCU managed to pick up fout new transfers to the team: Kate Kelly (OF- Seminole State College), Brooke Clemens (C- Florida), Bri Bennett (C- Lake Sumter College) and Addy Simpson (SS/RHP- Albany).
The first of four transfers is Kate Kelly.
The 5-7 outfielder from Cape Coral, Florida comes to FGCU with plenty of speed.
Prior to FGCU, Kelly played one season with Seminole State College of the Suncoast Conference in NJCAA Region 8. There, Kelly hit .417 and drove in 24 runs and swiped 48 stolen bases. She did so well there that she earned All-State and All-Conference honors in addition to a nod on the FCSAA All-Tournament team.
Kelly joins the team as a redshirt sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining, but you can imagine the speed from Kelly is coming.
Next on the team is one of my personal favorite transfers: Brooke Clemens.
The 5-9 catcher from West Rotunda, Florida came with plenty of power.
Prior to FGCU, Clemens spent her first two years at Florida of the SEC.
In her freshman year, Clemens played in nine games and batted .143 with one RBI and a walk.
In her sophomore year, Clemens started two of 22 games played batting .136 with three hits, one home run and five runs before transferring to FGCU.
Clemens comes to FGCU as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining, but I can assure that her power will come into play strongly.
Another powerful player joining McGuire, Fournet and Clemens is Bri Bennett.
The 5-6 catcher from Jacksonville, Florida comes with a powerful purpose.
Prior to FGCU, Bennett started her first two years at Lake Sumter State College of the Mid-Florida Conference in the FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8.
There, as a freshman, Bennett batted .307 with 46 hits, 25 runs, seven doubles, 14 home runs, 38 RBIs and six stolen bases.
In her sophomore year, Bennett batted .300 with 84 hits, 34 runs, 26 doubles, 15 home runs, 72 RBIs and three stolen bases.
She earned First Team Mid-Conference honors and NFCA Second Team All-Region honoree as a result of her hard work.
Bennett still holds single season records for most home runs (15), RBIs (72), doubles (26) and walks, and career records for home runs (29), RBIs (109), doubles (33), walks (59) as well as being in the top five in hits (124).
Bennett joins FGCU as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining and you can guarantee her power will come into play with ease.
The final transfer for FGCU is Addy Simpson.
The 5-7 shortstop/right-handed pitcher from Delray Beach, Florida comes to FGCU with a better opportunity.
Prior to FGCU, Simpson played her freshman year at the University of Albany of the America East Conference (AEC). Simpson started 16 of her 24 games played batting .159 with seven hits, four runs, two doubles and nine RBIS.
Simpson joins FGCU as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining as a shortstop, but you can bet she will put her foot in the door and make it happen.
For Morgan White, being the only true sophomore on the team seems scary, but in reality, it's a confidence boost.
The 6' right-handed pitcher from Ocala, Florida is always ready for the challenge.
In her freshman year, White was utilized offensively as a designated hitter and as a pitcher. In 34 games, White, as a DH, batted .194 with 12 hits, three runs, five doubles, one home run and six RBIs.
As a pitcher, White struggled and was mainly used in relief. She had a 2-4 record with a 5.68 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
For White, her chance for redemption as a pitcher will come in good time.
Now how about those freshman? FGCU managed to sign eight true freshman: Ahnie Jumper (C/3B), Haley Morrell (SS), Ashley Biddle (1B), Riley McCarthy (C), Marissa Mesiemore (RHP/3B), Farley Callaghan (OF) and Taylor Bauman (RHP).
The first of eight freshman is Ahnie Jumper.
The 5-6 catcher/third baseman from Clewiston, Florida comes into play with ease.
Prior to signing with FGCU, Jumper played for Plantation American Heritage High School under head coach Marty Cooper. In her senior year, she batted .488 with 21 hits, 16 runs, six doubles, one triple, one home run and 20 RBIs. In 89 games, from seventh grade to senior year, Jumper batted a career .366 with 67 hits, 48 runs and 49 RBIs.
In addition, she was a three-time state champion and a First Team All-County selection and helped her high school to a Class 6A runner-up finish.
For Jumper, she will make her presence ready for her first year.
Coming into play on deck with a strong will is Haley Morrell.
The 5-7 shortstop from Tampa, Florida is here to represent the Tampa Bay area.
Prior to FGCU, Morrell played for the Academy of Holy Names under head coach Kevin Vargas. There, Morrell batted a .477 career batting average and 20 career home runs including batting .500 her senior year with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs.
As a result of her hard work, Morrell earned Defensive Player of the Year both freshman and sophomore year, named Academy of Holy Names' Offensive Player of the Year her junior year, earned Second Team All-County and Miracle Softball All-State Honorable Mention.
For Morrell and her experiences, she will turn heads with ease.
To back up McGuire and Ward, Ashley Biddle is here.
The 5-4 first baseman from Trenton, Florida fills the gap perfectly to back up both McGuire and Ward.
Prior to FGCU, Biddle played for Trenton High School under head coach Todd Bryant. There she hit .412 at Trenton High School, driving in 111 runs on 24 doubles through her first three seasons including batting .564 with 44 hits and 33 RBIs as a sophomore.
Biddle earned All-State honors twice and was named a three-time Gainesville Sun All-Area selection.
For Biddle, this will be one thrill of an adventure.
Catchers are one of the hardest positions to compete for and Riley McCarthy is one of the players to compete with.
The 5-6 catcher from Manassas, Virginia is one of two players not from Florida, but that makes no difference.
Prior to FGCU, McCarthy played at Brentsville District High School under head coach Ted Lyons. She lettered all four years where she was a two-time All-State selection, three-time All-Region and four-time All-Conference selection batting a .467 career batting average. McCarthy is also the Virginia state record holder in hits (106).
For McCarthy, she may have some competition with Newmark, Clemens and Bennett, but she can pull it off.
To help Randolph and White in the pitching rotation, Marissa Mesiemore is ready for that.
The 5-7 right-handed pitcher/third baseman from Bushnell, Florida has the capability that Deiros needs.
Prior to FGCU, Mesiemore played for South Sumter High School under head coach Drew Noe. As a batter, Mesiemore, a four year letterwinner, batted a .399 batting average, including a .446 batting average her senior year with 29 career home runs and 113 career RBIs.
As a pitcher, Mesiemore recorded 23 wins with a 0.80 ERA while striking out 271 batters her junior year and a career total 793 strikeouts. She also led South Sumter to the final four of the District 5A State Finals.
The pitching is surely gonna rock the house with Mesiemore in the rotation
To add more depth in the outfield with Huff, Lopez, Fournet and Kelly, Farley Callaghan comes into play.
The 5-5 outfielder from Ponte Vedra, Florida comes in with great passion.
Prior to FGCU, Callaghan played for Ponte Vedra High School under head coach Gordie Rolison. There, Callaghan led the Sharks to a 20-6 record in 2016 behind 26 RBIs while playing travel ball with Florida Select and finished ninth at the ASA 18U National Championship in Oklahoma. She also hit better than .340 in each of her previous five seasons in travel ball.
For Calaghan and her travel ball experience, she is surely gonna make impact with FGCU.
Last, but not least to add more depth to the pitching rotation is Taylor Bauman.
The 5-6 right-handed pitcher from Jacksonville, Florida joins Randolph, White and Mesimore with competition.
Prior to FGCU, Bauman played for Atlantic Coast High School under head coach David Matchett.
There, she recorded a 2.65 ERA while striking out 222 batters her junior while also hitting .368 with nine home runs. She ended her season as a pitcher with a 2.00 ERA and 62 strikeouts.
For Bauman, she will show what she's got in the rotation.
I got to meet all of the new players and I must say they're really cool to talk to. The new coaches were also really nice and I was glad to make them feel welcome to FGCU.
I'm really looking forward to the new season and see how everything works out with the team and still use my cheer.
PC: FGCUathletics.com
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