The FGCU softball team (291-12, 3-3 A-SUN) wrapped up their final non-conference games fighting in two extra-inning games as they split with FAU (22-21, 9-6 C-USA) falling 4-5 in game one before winning 4-1 in game two. With the split, the Eagles are now 4-6 against the Owls. The Eagles were led offensively by seniors Erica Ward and Ashley Swiderski while on the mound, freshman Taylor Bauman made national history for softball.
"I thought we played 16 really strong innings of softball," stated head coach David Deiros. "Our kids did a great job battling, we had a chance to win both games but to come out of there with a split is a testament to our kids. Congratulations to Morgan White for pitching a gem today and also congrats to Taylor Bauman for tying the NCAA single-season saves record tonight."
Beginning with game one, Derios sent Bauman to pitch against FAU’s Mia Olson. The Eagles would strike first. After senior Kelsey Huff drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch, junior Racquel Fournet would bring in Huff on an RBI single to give the Eagles an early lead. The Owls, however would tie the score after Bauman gave up an RBI single to Madisyn Palmer.
The Owls would then take the lead in the second after Amanda Peck hit an RBI single, but the Eagles would retie the lead in the third. After freshman Marissa Mesiemore, who came in for Bauman in the second inning, drew a walk before fellow freshman Haley Morrell came in to pinch run for Mesiemore, Huff would move Morrell to second on sacrifice bunt before Morrell advance to third on a wild pitch. Senior Brittany McGuire would ground out while Morrell scored to tie the game at 2-2. The Owls would then regain the lead in the bottom of the third after another RBI single from Palmer.
The Eagles would then once again retake the lead in the fourth. After a two-out single from Bauman, Ward would hit a two-run homer to left center to give the Eagles a 4-3 lead. This was Ward’s first home run of the season.
The Eagles were able to hold the lead until the bottom of the seventh after Emily Lochten tied the game with an RBI sending the game to extra innings, but it would be in the favor of FAU as Palmer would hit an infield single and drive in Peck for the game-winner in the ninth.
Bauman would be credited with her third loss of the season after throwing 4.2 inning, giving up two runs on four hits while walking four and striking out two. Bauman was also 1-4 with a run scored.
Mesiemore would earn a no decision after throwing four innings, giving up three runs on six hits while walking three and striking out two.
Ward would finish 3-for-4 with two RBIs while Huff and Fournet finished with two hits each. Fournet added one RBI to the mix.
Sophmore Kate Kelly, Swiderski and freshman Farley Callaghan had one hit each.
Going into game two, Deiros sent sophomore Morgan White to pitch against FAU’s Taylor Buckley.
With White on the mound, the Ocala native struck out five batters in the first three innings, but a wild pitch in the third gave the Owls a 1-0 lead. White was still able to finish the inning.
With Buckley still on the mound, the Owls continued to hold the Eagles scoreless until the sixth inning. After Kelly hit a lead-off single and advanced to second on a Huff groundout, Fournet would tie the game with an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1.
White remained in the game and struck out five more batters in the fifth and sixth inning combined before preventing the Owls from winning the game in seventh forcing a second extra innings game with the Texas Tiebreaker in effect.
The Eagles would then take the lead in the eighth. After back-to-back singles from Kelly and Huff, Swiderski would clock a three-run shot to left to give the Eagles a 4-1 lead. This was Swiderski’s sixth home run of the season.
Bauman would come in for White in the eighth inning for a save opportunity. Bauman was able to get the first out with ease. Despite giving up a one-out single to Palmer, the Jacksonville native was more than able to get Buckley to lineout to Swiderski for a double play for the win.
White would earn her sixth win of the season after throwing seven innings, giving up one run on three hits while walking three batters and finishing with a season and career-high 11 strikeouts.
Bauman would earn her 15th save of the season after throwing one scoreless inning while giving up one hit. Bauman now ties former Canisius pitcher Mallory Aldred for most saves in a single season. Bauman was also 1-for-3 at the plate.
Kelly and Swiderksi would finish with two hits each. Swiderski would go 2-for-4 with three RBIs while Kelly went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Huff and Fournet were each 1-for-4. Huff had one run scored while Fournet added one RBI.
The Eagles return to conference action as they face Kennesaw State on April 14-15.
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