FGCU Softball vs Stetson Preview

After wrapping up non-conference play, the FGCU softball team (25-6) prepares to face Stetson (20-10) to open up A-SUN Conference play at home.

Last Time Out:
The Eagles are coming off a doubleheader split against Marshall this past Wednesday claiming a comeback 4-3 victory in game one then fell in the second match 8-4 as the Thundering Herd posted a seven-run seventh to complete their comeback win.

Rac City:
Leading the pack for the Eagles is junior Racquel Fournet. Fournet has driven in 23 runs this season behind her .356 average. In the opening contest against Marshall, Fournet drove in all four of the Eagle's runs to go along with her third homer as her single in the seventh gave FGCU the walk-off win. Senior Kelsey Huff provides a different threat swiping 16 bases to go along with her .310 average.

Ranked Pitching:
FGCU continues to get quality production from its pitching staff as three pitchers all boast an ERA that ranks inside the top-37 in the nation. Sophomore Morgan White leads the Green and Blue with a 1.22 ERA while junior Riley Randolph has notched 10 wins for the Eagles.

Save Nation:
Freshman Taylor Bauman continues her strong role as the official closer for the team. Bauman currently had 13 saves for the team. The Jacksonville native not only leads the team and the A-SUN, but is also No. 1 in the nation. Bauman is three saves from breaking the single season record in saves. The record is currently set by Canisius' Mallory Aldred (15) in 2008.

RPI Watch:
After coming off a 4-1 trip in Clearwater, Fla., it was announced Monday morning in the NCAA's first softball 2018 RPI rankings that the Eagles are ranked #42 in the nation. FGCU leads a total of five A-SUN members that landed a spot in the top-80 as Lipscomb (56), Kennesaw State (63), USC Upstate (71) and UNF (79) rounded out the RPI top-80. At the conclusion of the 2017 season, the A-SUN boasted the 5th highest conference RPI, at one point being ranked as high as 4th in the nation

In the latest installment of the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top-25, the Eagles joined USC Upstate as one of two teams from the ASUN receiving votes.

Scouting the Hatters:
The Hatters recently competed and hosted the Stetson Hatter Roundup. They would earn wins over George Mason (2-1) and Manhattan (5-1) before falling to Manhattan in a rematch (5-7) and cancelling a game against Princeton due to rain.

Junior Ashly Smith is featured as one of the best run producers in the A-SUN. Smith is batting .468 with 10 doubles and 25 RBIs. Sophomore Molly McLaughlin and senior Maggie Fritts have also chipped in with 26 and 23 RBIs, respectively.

Junior Tori Perkins leads the Hatters' pitching staff with a 2.28 ERA and 12 wins.

Series History:
FGCU trails the all-time series versus the Hatters 13-17 as the Eagles claimed the last series on the road in 2017.

The games will be played as a doubleheader on Saturday at 2 and 4 P.M. and one game on Sunday at 1 P.M. and livestats will be provided.

It will also be a whiteout as marketing is encouraging fans to wear white to the game.

In addition, the first 100 fans that attend the game will receive a 'Stomp Stetson' rally towel.