FGCU Softball vs FAU Recap

The FGCU softball team (18-16, 3-3 A-SUN) split two with cross-town rival FAU (16-18, 3-6 C-USA) winning game one, 3-2, before falling in the nightcap, 7-2.

"Tonight we did some really good things especially in preparation for our series this upcoming weekend against UNA but tonight we just really had one bad inning," said head coach David Deiros. "If we erase that, I'm pleased with the rest of our effort all the way around. We got to see a lot of people in different positions so I'm pretty satisfied with that."

FGCU 3 | FAU 2
After starting sophomore pitcher Marissa Mesiemore retired FAU's side in the top of the fourth, the Eagles gave her some run support in the bottom half. Back-to-back singles from junior Sammi Poehlman and sophomore Farley Callaghan churned the offense for FGCU. A fly out from freshman McKenna Batterton moved both runners into scoring position as senior Kate Kelly hit a single to second to score Poehlman. A throwing error from the second baseman brought Callaghan home on the same play.

FAU responded with two runs of its own in the fifth, but the Eagles also answered in their half. Facing one out, freshman Reedy Davenport was plunked and then raced over to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, junior Mikenzie Vaughn stung a base hit to center for the 3-2 lead.

The visitors made some noise in the top of the seventh, placing the tying run on third, but a strikeout swinging and a grounder to short secured the 3-2 victory for the Green and Blue.

Mesiemore moves to .500 (4-4) this season in the circle as she fanned six batters while scattering six hits, giving up two runs (one earned). Kelly capped off game one going 3-for-4 with one RBI.

FAU 7 | FGCU 2
Sophomore Haley Morrell provided an immediate spark in game two, launching a two-run blast over the left-field wall for the quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. It was her fourth home run of the season. Following a scoreless second frame, FAU tacked on a run apiece in the third and fourth to tie the contest.

The Owls then broke the scoring open in the top of the fifth manufacturing five runs on five hits for the 7-2 margin. FGCU collected one hit in the sixth but would be retired in order in the final inning en route to the 3-2 loss.

Sophomore Taylor Bauman gets tagged with the loss after coming in relief of starting junior pitcher Morgan White in the fifth, tossing 0.2 innings, yielding up four runs. Morrell finished the night going 2-for-4 with two RBI while Vaughn went 2-for-3.

Up Next
FGCU will hit the road for its third A-SUN series of the year when they take on North Alabama (17-11, 3-3 A-SUN) beginning with a doubleheader (3 & 5 p.m. EST) Saturday. Sunday's game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. EST first pitch.