FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU softball left nine runners on base against Big Ten foe Purdue Thursday night, falling 5-1. The Eagles (15-13) held the Boilermakers (15-11) to just an unearned run through four innings and had chances to cut into the lead late, but the big hit eluded FGCU.

Both teams scored on a sacrifice fly as Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) allowed one unearned run on four hits, exiting with a tie ballgame. Louie Ross (Cape Coral, Fla./Ida S. Baker HS) tallied a sacrifice fly in the third to tie the game but that was all FGCU would get on the evening. Purdue plated a pair in the top of the fifth but FGCU nearly responded on a line drive off the bat of Jeanie Verderese (Jacksonville, Fla./Creekside HS) that barely landed foul. The visitors scored single runs in the final two innings as FGCU would drop a 5-1 decision.

"We had players in scoring position we just couldn't get the big hit," said head coach David Deiros. "Jeanie's ball that's down the line and we're a foot away from maybe 3-2 or tying the game. Against a pitcher like that, you have to take advantage of your opportunities. We had some chances we just couldn't pull it off. We were our own worst enemy in terms of self-inflicted wounds. But, I much enjoyed tonight than what we did in the doubleheader yesterday. I thought we played a better game today."

The start was less than ideal for Randolph and the FGCU defense, as a lead off error and a stolen base put Purdue in business early. After a ground out, a sacrifice fly would be the lone run Randolph conceded on the evening.

Purdue loaded the bases in the second, but the freshman Randolph forced a ground ball back to herself and she tossed home to get out of the inning. Ross then got the bats going for the Green and Blue with a single and Verderese followed with one of her own, but both would be left on the bases as the inning came to a close.

Natalie Lopez (Miami, Fla./Westminster Christian HS) singled to lead off the third and moved to second on a ground out. After Makensie McAvoy (Plant City, Fla./Plant City HS) singled to put runners at the corners, Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) drew a walk loading the bases for Ross. The senior delivered, sending a fly ball to left and plating Lopez to tie the game.

Gabbee Draney (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep HS) came on to start the fifth and allowed a pair of runs on three hits, putting FGCU behind 3-1. The Green and Blue responded with singles from McAvoy and Ross, putting runners at first and second for Verderese. The junior took an 0-1 pitch down the left field line, but it landed a foot foul and the inning would later end with two more runners stranded on the bases.

After single runs in the sixth and seventh by the Boilermakers made it 5-1, FGCU attempted to capitalize on two Purdue errors in the final inning but consecutive strikeouts ended the ballgame.

Randolph tossed four innings, allowing an unearned run on four hits with three strikeouts. Draney (3-3) was hit with the loss, allowing four runs over the final three innings. McAvoy and Ross each collected a pair of hits.

UP NEXT
The Eagles will get another look at the Boilermakers Friday at 4:30 p.m. Immediately following that contest, FGCU meets with Iowa State.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information on the FGCU softball program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_Softball and Instagram at fgcusoftball and stay tuned at FGCUAthletics.com.
 
COACH DEIROS
The founding father of FGCU softball, David Deiros enters his 14th season as head coach. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to 11 seasons with a winning record, eight campaigns with 35 wins and a win percentage of .673 (527-255-3). The 2015 Eagles finished with a 23-30 record and wins over Atlantic 10, Southland, AAC and ACC opponents. Deiros is a former head coach at the 1998 Florida State Runner-up Lely High School in Naples and is the founding head coach of the 1999 District Champion/2001 Regional Runner-up Gulf Coast High School in Naples.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.