FGCU Softball: FGCU Invitational Day One Recap

The FGCU softball team (4-3) suffered a 2-1 loss to Lamar (2-6) in the opening day of the FGCU Invitational Friday evening.

"Today we did not play up to our expectations," head coach David Deiros said. "There are some things we need to clean up and it's a work in process. Saturday we're faced with a unique opportunity competing against No. 2 world ranked Team Japan but we have to be ready to come back Sunday and close out the Invitational."

The visitors jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning, scoring on an unearned run. The tying run from the Eagles would be produced in the bottom half of the fifth. After junior Morgan Greco was hit by a pitch, freshman Ashley Hayes was called on as a pinch-runner. Hayes moved all the way to third on a grounder back to the pitcher, setting up sophomore Farley Callaghan for the sac bunt to tie the contest.

Senior Riley Randolph struck out eight batters through the first five innings as she would concede her first earned run of the season in the sixth. Over the final two frames, the Eagles stranded three runners on the bags, as the tying run one was left on second base in the final inning.

Callaghan finished the contest going 2-for-2 at the plate. In the circle, Randolph tossed all seven frames, scattering four hits, gave up four walks while striking out 10 Cardinals as the senior moves to 2-2 overall.

Up Next:
FGCU looks to close out the invitational with two wins as they face Lamar (3-6) and Memphis (3-4) on Sunday.