FORT MYERS, Fla. – Behind two timely base hits and solid pitching performances, the FGCU softball team completed the three-game series sweep over the UNF Ospreys with a 3-2 victory Tuesday afternoon. With the win, the Eagles took over sole possession of first place by a half-game in front of the USC Upstate Spartans with three games to play in the season. FGCU is now 27-25 on the year and 10-5 in Atlantic Sun play, while UNF falls to 19-27 and 5-10 in conference action.

Both offenses struggled to get going through the first two innings but the visitors broke through in the third, scoring a single run in the top half of the frame. The Eagles bounced back, scoring three times in the bottom half capped by a two-run double off the bat of Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School). The three-run inning would hold up as the Ospreys were held to a single run in the fifth from that point. FGCU secured the sweep with a 3-2 win, taking a half-game lead over the defending champions, USC Upstate, with three games remaining on the schedule.

"It wasn't our best game of the year but we persevered," said head coach David Deiros. "We were resilient and we came up with a big hit when we needed it and we made some big outs when we needed them. Kudos to our entire team for really sticking through it and getting the job done."

Gabbee Draney (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep HS) allowed two early hits but kept UNF off the board through the first two innings. As the contest moved to the third, a leadoff triple helped the Ospreys take a 1-0 lead into the bottom half of the frame. Natalie Lopez (Miami, Fla./Westminster Christian HS) got the Eagles going, getting hit by a pitch before Amber Plaza (Fort Myers, Fla./Miami Dade College/Bishop Verot HS) tallied her first hit in an FGCU uniform to put runners at first and second. Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) then advanced both runners 60 feet with a single to load the bases. With one out, Louie Ross (Cape Coral, Fla./Ida S. Baker HS) tied the game with a single past the diving shortstop into left field. Fournet then doubled off the wall in center, scoring two to give FGCU a 3-1 advantage.

Draney fanned two batters in the fourth but FGCU was unable to increase its lead despite putting the leadoff batter on base.

Taylor Wade (Pace, Fla./Pace HS) came into the game to start the fifth and allowed two singles and a walk, forcing Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) to enter the contest. The freshman allowed a single to score the second Osprey run of the game but got out of the inning with no further damage to keep FGCU in front 3-2.

The Eagles had another opportunity to increase their lead in the sixth, putting two runners on base with two outs but a ground out ended the inning. In the seventh, Randolph struck out two batters before a fly out completed the series sweep.

Draney earned the win, pitching the minimum four innings while allowing one run on three hits. The sophomore walked one but struck out four for her sixth win of the year. Wade pitched 0.2 innings, conceding a run on two hits and a walk. Randolph earned her second save in as many games, tossing 2.1 innings, striking out three batters.

Ross led the Eagles with two hits, raising her average to .412 on the season. The senior also tallied an RBI to lead FGCU at the plate.

UP NEXT
The Eagles close out the 2016 regular season with a trip to Jacksonville to face the Dolphins. FGCU and JU begin the three-game series Friday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader and wrap up the regular season Saturday at 1 p.m.  

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 is in 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 .669 (539-266-3). 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.