FGCU Softball vs JU Recap

Bouncing from fifth to fourth place in the conference standings, the FGCU softball team (31-14, 6-5 A-SUN) took a doubleheader in the series against Jacksonville (23-23, 4-6 A-SUN) as the Eagles swept the Dolphins 6-0 and 6-5. With the wins, the Eagles are now 23-5 against the Dolphins.

"Our entire team – pitchers, catchers, defenders, hitters, coaches, and trainer did a great job staying engaged and with our plan," said head coach David Deiros.

For game one, Deiros sent junior Riley Randolph to the mound to face sophomore Alyssa Bilodeau.
The Eagles would get on the scoreboard first at the top of the first inning. After a lead-off single from senior Kelsey Huff, senior Ashley Swiderski would bring in Huff on an RBI double. After a single from junior Racquel Fournet and advanced to second on a groundout from senior Brittany McGuire, Swiderski would score on a wild pitch while Fournet advanced to third. Junior Brooke Clemens would then bring in Fournet with a sacrifice fly.

Going to the top of the fourth inning, the Eagles would continue to add runs to the scoreboard. After a two-out double from senior Brittany McGuire, Clemens would hit an RBI single to center and bring in McGuire. After freshman Taylor Bauman was hit by a pitch, freshman Farley Callaghan would hit a single to right, bringing in Clemens to make it 5-0 Eagles.

The Eagles would add one more run to the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a two-out single from freshman Haley Morrell and a walk drawn by sophomore Kate Kelly, Huff would bring in Morrell on an RBI single for the sixth and final run. Morell would make a game-saving diving catch at the bottom of the seventh to get the Eagles the win.

Randolph would earn her 13th win of the season after throwing a two-hit shutout while walking two batters and striking out five.

Bilodeau would be credited with her ninth loss of the season after throwing all seven innings, giving up six runs on 10 hits while walking two batters and striking out four.

Huff, Fournet, and McGuire were 2-for-4 each in the game with one run scored.

Clemens finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Swiderski, Callaghan and Morrell also had one hit each.

The Dolphins only hits came off the bats of the bats of sophomore Katelin Davis and senior Madison Ragan.

"I thought we got outplayed in every facet in game one," JU head coach Erica Ayers said. "Riley carved us up pretty good."

For game two, Deiros sent freshman Marissa Mesiemore to face sophomore Seana Mora.

The Dolphins would bring in the first run of game two in the bottom of the first inning off an RBI double from senior Heather Roberts.

Despite having scoring opportunities in the third and fourth inning, the Eagles remained scoreless until the fifth inning rally gave them a leading opportunity. After two-out back-to-back singles from Kelly and Huff, Swiderski would clock a two RBI double, giving the Eagles the lead. Fournet and McGuire would follow with back-to-back RBI doubles. Fournet’s double was her 41st in her career as she is nine away from passing Courtney Platt and Cheyenne Jenks (49) for most career doubles. Clemens would bring McGuire with an RBI single, giving the Eagles a 5-1 lead.

The Dolphins would then tie the game at the bottom of the fifth after an RBI single from Roberts, two-RBI single from senior Kristen Griffith, and a bunt single from sophomore Carolyn O'Neal, but the Eagles would take back the lead at the top of the seventh. After Huff drew a walk, Swiderski would hit an RBI triple to right bringing in Huff which would the deciding run.

Mesiemore would earn a no-decision after throwing 4.1 innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits while walking three batters and striking out three.

Sophomore Morgan White would earn her seventh win after throwing two-thirds of an inning while walking one batter and striking out one.

Mora would be credited with her 10th loss of the season after throwing 4.2 innings, giving up five runs on nine hits while striking out four batters.

Randolph would earn her first save of the season after throwing one scoreless inning while walking two batters and striking out one.

Swiderski would finish 3-for-4 with three RBIs and one run scored while Fournet finished 2-for-4 with one RBI, a run scored and a walk.

Huff, McGuire, Clemens, Callaghan and Kelly would have one each.

"I'm really, really proud of how they bounced back in game two," Ayers said. "We just came up a play short. That was a great ballgame and how it should be. I really wish for our kids that we could have gotten that one."

"We've got a short night, but if we can play like we played in game two, I think we've got a shot," Ayers said.

The Eagles will attempt a sweep against Jacksonville on Sunday at 11 A.M.

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