FGCU Softball vs LIU: Opening Game Recap

Despite seven inconsequential errors, the FGCU softball team (1-0) pulled away with a 9-6 win over LIU-Brooklyn (0-1) to open the FGCU Kickoff Classic.

It was a really tough game on the defensive end, but on the other hand, the old saying is "A win is a win".

"Offensively we showed what we're capable of the entire day, but defensively the mistakes we made are inexcusable," said head coach David Deiros. "Our pitchers did a good enough job to keep LIU at bay, but when you extend innings to four, five, six outs and throw away chances of finishing innings, your offense better come through. They did tonight and I'm proud of them for it and we just have to go ahead and clean it up before we play the rest of our games."

Sophomore Morgan White was the starter for the opening game as she faced sophomore Haley Irvis.

After a scoreless top half of the first inning, the Eagles struck first on the scoreboard. After a walk and stolen from senior outfielder Nat Lopez, senior Brittany McGuire drove in Lopez for the first run on a double. The Blackbirds would strike back in the second inning as freshman infielder Alina Castillo scored from a fielding error.

By the third inning, Lopez would reach first on a one-out infield single. Junior outfielder Racquel Fournet would also hit a single sending Lopez to second for the debut of junior catcher Brooke Clemens. Clemens, who transferred from UF, had a walk in a previous plate appearance of the first inning and was called out at home trying to bring in the second run off of McGuire's double. Clemens redeemed herself and hit a towering three-run shot to left bringing Lopez and Fournet. It was Clemens' first FGCU home run and her second collegiate.

The Blackbirds would score another run in the top of the fourth inning off as freshman Kiana Cisneros scored on another Eagles throwing error, but the Eagles would counter with another run brought as Fournet drove in senior shortstop Brianne Innamorato on a bases loaded sacrifice fly.

At the top of the fifth inning, the Eagles started to buckle as freshman pitcher Marissa Mesiemore made her debut on the mound replacing White. Mesiemore gave up two runs before Castillo grounded out to end the top half.

The Eagles bats were quiet in the bottom of the fifth and the Blackbirds would soon take the lead after a bases loaded two-run single from junior Schae Dickson.

With the score 6-5 in favor of LIU, FGCU managed to pick themselves up in the bottom of the sixth. After a lead off pinch hit walk from senior Ashley Swiderski and a sacrifice from senior outfielder Kesley Huff, it was Lopez's moment to shine as the Miami native notched an inside-the-park home run driving in Swiderski. This was Lopez's first ever collegiate home run. After Fournet reached on a fielding error and Clemens hit a double, McGuire would single and bring in Fournet to extend the lead. It would not stop there as senior catcher LuLu Newmark hit an RBI single to left, driving in the debuting freshman Farley Callaghan, who pinch ran for Clemens.

Freshman Taylor Bauman would make her debut as she threw the final scoreless inning and the Eagles would claim the victory. With the win, the Eagles are now 11-2 against the Blackbirds.

White got a no-decision after throwing four innings. White gave two unearned runs on three hits, walked one batter and struck out one.

Mesiemore would earn the win after throwing two innings. Mesiemore gave up four runs (one earned) on three hits and walked one batter.

Bauman earned a save after one scoreless inning and giving up one hit.

Irvis received a no-decision for the Blackbirds after throwing three innings, giving up four runs on four hits while walking three batters and striking out one.

Junior Tallie Woodson would earn the loss for the Blackbirds after throwing one inning, giving up three runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one batter.

Freshman Victoria Lowe also contributed for the Blackbirds after giving up two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out three in two innings.

On the offensive end, McGuire was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and one walk, Clemens was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, three RBIs and one walk, Lopez was 2-for-2 with a single, home run, two RBIs, three runs scored and one walk and Fournet was 1-for-3 with one RBI, two runs scored and a walk.

For the Blackbirds, junior Evie Claussell was the only player with a multi-hit game as she finished 2-for-4. Junior Schae Dickson was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

Aside from Clemens, Callaghan, Mesiemore and Bauman, junior Bri Bennett, freshman Ahnie Jumper and sophomore Kate Kelly made their debuts as well. Bennett pinched hit for Lopez going 0-for-1, Jumper came in as a pinch runner for McGuire, and Kelly was 0-for-1 with a stolen base.

The crowd was actually pretty good. Aside from the fans and the Dirty Birds in attendance, members from the other teams were there including sophomore Kate Williamson and junior Jean Tyrrell from the women's golf team, sophomore Doug Smith from the men's golf team, redshirt freshman Chandler Ryan and sophomore Samantha Kisiel from the women's basketball team, and members of the women's soccer team were in attendance including Emilie Olsen and Melissa Weck.

In fact, even former FGCU softball players Caley Chappell, Brianna Tourtillott and Amber Plaza were in attendance as well.

Side notes:
*It was the spring season debuts of the new assistant coaches Jamie Kertes and Jaime Edwards.

Up next, the Eagles return to action as they face NC State on Friday, February 9 at 7 P.M. In addition, four other games will played prior to FGCU vs NC State:

Memphis vs. Georgetown @10 A.M.
Ball State vs. Memphis @12:15 P.M.
NC State vs. Georgetown @2:30 P.M.
LIU vs. Ball State @4:45 P.M.