FGCU Softball: FGCU Kickoff Classic Day Two Recap

 The FGCU softball team snagged two more games Saturday evening as the Eagles took down Georgetown (0-4), 5-0, followed by a 5-1 win over LIU (2-2) to end the night at the FGCU Softball Complex.

"We had two really good wins tonight and I just like the way we are competing in all aspects," said head coach David Deiros. "In the first game with Marissa, we got on [Georgetown] early and then we couldn't sustain that momentum but we were able to pitch and defend through it. Against LIU, they came out and hit us in the mouth. If McKenna doesn't make that play in center, that's a big first inning and a big hole for us to be in. Sarah settled down after that so I'm really proud of our kids for the effort."

FGCU 5 | Georgetown 0

Leadoff hitter Sammi Poehlman started off the bottom of the first with a single and swiped second. McKenna Batterton bunt singled to put runners on the corners. Poehlman was caught in a rundown at home during a fielder's choice off the bat of Haley Morrell but a RBI single from Reedy Davenport scored Batterton. Facing two outs, catcher Ahnie Jumper hit a two-run double to left-center to cap off the frame.

FGCU tacked on another run in the bottom of the second, highlighted by a Batterton double that brought home Kacie Huber. A five-run lead was more than enough for Marissa Mesiemore who retired the last nine batters she faced. The junior righty finished the night tossing six innings, striking out nine Hoyas in the process as she moves to 2-0. Emily Estroff worked the final frame, sitting down the Hoyas in order.

Batterton capped off the game going 4-for-4 with one double, three singles and an RBI.

FGCU 5 | LIU 1

The Sharks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as FGCU would be held scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. In that frame, the Green and Blue used two hits on two errors to jump ahead 2-0. Johneisha Rowe singled and hustled to second on the first error as she scored with Morrell reaching on the frame's second throwing miscue. Three batters later, Hope Hernandez brought pinch-runner Hannah Shemansky home from third with a knock to left.

Holding onto the narrow lead, pitcher Sarah Lawton began to settle down and got three insurance runs in the sixth from the Eagles off a trio of hits. Hernandez came away with an RBI single while Maddy Johnson produced two runs with her base hit to center.

Lawton moves to 2-0 after tossing a complete five-hit game while striking out three Sharks. Rowe finished 3-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base, Hernandez went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

Up Next:
FGCU caps off the tournament with a battle against UConn (2-2) Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.