FGCU Softball vs Team Japan Recap

 Hosting Team Japan in an exhibition contest Saturday evening, the FGCU Softball Team came away with a 7-5 triumph over the No. 2 ranked team in the world.

"Our kids played as well toe-to-toe with the second best team in the world so I can't be more proud of them," head coach David Deiros said. "It was a great experience and the turnout we had was fantastic for this community to see that kind of softball being played."

Japan took a 2-0 advantage in the very first inning but not only did the Eagles respond quickly, but they also took the lead. After back-to-back singles from freshmen Reedy Davenport and McKenna Batterton, senior Kate Kelly brought in Davenport with a single. Shortly after, with Batterton and Kelly in scoring position, a knock up the middle from senior Racquel Fournet made it a 3-2 game.

Over the next two frames, Japan would scratch two runners across to make it 4-3 in their favor. The big inning for FGCU came in the bottom of the fifth as they registered four runs on three hits. A successful squeeze bunt from sophomore Ahnie Jumper brought home junior Diane Servideo, who reached on a single to left, then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch.

Junior Morgan Greco reached on a fielder's choice as fellow junior Marcella Parrado smacked a single to right to put two runners on with two outs. Up next, freshman Kyleigh Taylor dug in and launched a three-run home run over the left-field wall to give the Eagles a 7-4 lead.

Japan scored a run in the seventh and loaded the bases with two outs off freshman Emily Hess, but a pop fly to left ended the contest, giving FGCU a 7-5 win over the second-best team in the world.

The Eagles utilized five pitchers, with sophomore Taylor Bauman, the starter who went two innings, followed by senior Riley Randolph throwing the third frame, junior Morgan White tossed innings four and five, sophomore Marissa Mesiemore worked the sixth inning with Hess throwing the seventh. Randolph and White each recorded one strikeout.

Up Next:
FGCU heads across Alligator Alley for the FAU Strike Out Cancer Tournament taking place Feb. 23-24 where they will face the hosts for one game and UConn twice.