FGCU Softball: LMU Tounament Recap Day Two

The FGCU softball team (20-4) wrapped up day two of the Loyola Marymount Tournament with another sweep over Providence (3-14) and Southern Utah (2-17).

In game one, the Eagles played Providence to start day two. Head coach Dave Derios gave junior Riley Randolph the nod to start against Providence’s sophomore Miranda Trinidad.

With both teams scoreless through two innings, the Eagles would put runs on the scoreboard first. Freshman Farley Callaghan began with a lead-off solo home run. This was Callaghan’s second collegiate home run of her career.

With two outs, senior Kelsey Huff would hit a single up the middle and steal second before junior Racquel Fournet drove in Huff on a single for the second run of the game.

Randolph continued to hold the Friars scoreless until the sixth when a Friar run scored on a fielding error to cut the Eagles lead to one. Freshman Taylor Bauman would enter the seventh for another save opportunity and was able to seal the deal for a 2-1 Eagles win.

Randolph was credited with her eighth win of the season after throwing six innings, giving up one run on three hits while walking one batter and striking out five.

Bauman would earn her 12th save of the season after throwing one scoreless inning while walking one batter and striking out two.

Trinidad earned her sixth loss after throwing six innings, giving up two runs on four hits while walking one batter and striking out three.

Callaghan, Fournet, Huff and senior Brianne Innamorato had the Eagles lone hits.

In game two against Southern Utah, sophomore Morgan White was given the nod to pitch for the Eagles against the Thunderbirds sophomore Samantha Guile.

The Eagles would once again score first in the first inning. After a Huff walk, junior Bri Bennett would hit a two-out single to right and bring in Huff for the first run.

On the mound, White was holding her own until the fourth inning. After walking one batter and giving up a single, Deiros would send freshman Marissa Mesiemore to pitch. Mesiemore was able to get out of the inning.

The Eagles would add two more runs on the scoreboard. After senior Lulu Newmark drew a walk and was replaced by freshman Riley McCarthy to pinch run, Innamorato would hit a two-run shot to left-center to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead. This was Innamorato’s first home run of the season.

The Eagles would continue to add more runs in the fifth inning. After a lead-off triple from Fournet, back-to-back home runs occurred from Bennett and senior Brittany McGuire. Bennett would hit a two-run shot to center while McGuire followed with a solo shot of her own giving the Eagles a 6-0 lead.

The Thunderbirds would get a run on the board in the sixth on a fielder’s choice. At the bottom of the sixth, the Eagles were able to get a walk-off for the win. After Innamorato reached first on a lead-off walk and stole second, Huff would then hit an infield single, putting Innamorato on third. Kelly would follow reaching first on a fielding error buying time for Innamorato to score and place Huff on third for Fournet. Fournet would end up getting the walk-off win by hitting a three-run shot to right for a 10-1 win through the eight-run mercy rule. This was FGCU’s first walk-off win from the mercy rule.

White would be credited with a no-decision after throwing 3.2 scoreless innings, giving up two hits, walking four batters and striking out six.

Mesiemore would be credited with her eighth win of the season after throw 2.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits.

Guile would be credited with her seventh loss after throwing two innings. Guile would give up three runs on four hits while walking four batters and striking out five.

Bennett and Fournet had three RBI each. Bennett finished 3-for-3 with two singles and a home run while Fournet finished 2-for-3 with a triple, home run, and two runs scored.

Innamorato was 1-for-2 was a home run, two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk.

McGuire was 1-for-2 with a home run.

Huff and Kelly also had a hit each. Huff and Innamorato had a stolen base each.

"It's nice to be able to win a pitching duel like game one and have the bats provide some cushion like in game two," said Deiros. "Looking to close out another tournament championship tomorrow afternoon."

With the win over Providence, including Thursday’s game, FGCU is now 5-1 against Providence.

Originally, FGCU was suppose to close out the tournament with its final game tomorrow against Harvard, but was cancelled due to inclement weather, so the Eagles finished the LMU Tournament 4-0.

FGCU will continue action on the road as they compete in the Clearwater Tournament in Clearwater, Florida, hosted by USF. The Eagles will face Chattanooga (4:15 P.M.) and St. Joseph (6:30 P.M.) on Friday, Maine (2:30 P.M.) and Lehigh (4:45 P.M.) on Saturday and Princeton (11:15 A.M.) on Sunday.