FGCU Softball: Strikeout Cancer Tournament Day Two Recap

Wrapping up day two of the FAU Strikeout Cancer Tournament, the FGCU softball team (7-5) finished the weekend 2-1 as they defeated UConn (3-9) 1-0. With the win, the Eagles are now 7-0 against the Huskies. The Huskkies wrapped up the tournament with a 2-3 loss to FAU (8-7).

Head coach Dave Deiros sent senior Riley Randolph to the mound while head coach Jen McIntyre sent sophomore MaryBeth Olson to counter.

Throughout the first three innings, it was clear pitchers battle between Randolph and Olson as they exchange in a combined nine strikeouts (Randolph: 4, Olson : 5) with Olson also striking out the side at the top of the third, but then Olson was the one to buckle. After striking out junior Sammi Poehlman, junior Mikenzie Vaughn would come away with a one out single to left center to spark up the Eagles a bit before freshman Ashley Hayes came in to pinch run. After stealing second, senior Brooke Clemens would send Hayes home with an RBI double before the top half ended.

The Huskies had several opportunities to get on the board, but an unfazed Randolph made it clear that she would not allow a run to score as she continued to 0s on the Huskies scoreboard and eventually got the win.

"Riley came up big again and she saved her best for the final two innings with runners in scoring position," Deiros said. "I thought we had our best offensive game of the weekend, even though the score might say otherwise."

Randolph would earn her fifth win of the season after throwing a two-hit complete game shutout with three walks and nine strikeouts. This was Randolph's fifth complete game (third shutout) of the season and her 44th complete game (19th shutout) of her career.

Randolph is fifth all-time in career complete game and is 11 away from passing Catherine McDaniel (49, 2009-11) for four all-time while being fourth all-time in career shutouts as she passed Dana Frantz (16, 2006-09) and is three away from passing Shelby Morgan (21, 2012-15) for third all-time. In addition, Randolph's nine k's put her at 483 and remains 198 away from passing Rachel Edinger (680, 2006-08) as the all-time leader in career strikeouts.

Olson would earn her second loss of the season after giving up the lone run on five hits with seven strikeouts.

Junior Katie Koshes threw two scoreless innings while giving up one hit.

Three of the Eagles' hit were doubles that came off the bats of Clemens, Poehman and senior Kate Kelly.

Up Next:
FGCU will travel to Tampa, FL., Wednesday for a doubleheader against USF before flying out to San Diego, CA to compete in the San Diego Classic hosted by San Diego State.