PUERTO VALLARTA, Mex. – It was an historic day in Mexico for the FGCU softball team, who split a pair of contests to open the Triple Crown Sports Puerto Vallarta Challenge. The Eagles (5-1) knocked off #21 Fresno State (4-3) 4-3 to open the day but fell 10-8 to Texas Tech (5-2) to conclude day one south of the border.

The 2017 version of the Eagles did something only the 2014 team can claim, start a season 5-0. With FGCU's 4-3 win over #21 Fresno State Thursday afternoon, the Eagles also knocked off a ranked opponent for just the fifth time in program history and the first time since the program's historic win over Florida during the 2012 NCAA Tournament. A four-run second inning proved to be enough for FGCU, as the Green and Blue held off a late Bulldog rally in the seventh to secure the victory.

The final game of the day proved to be much different for both teams involved. While the opener for FGCU was more of pitcher's duel, the second game was an offensive battler featuring 18 runs. While the Eagles went in front early 2-0, Texas Tech responded with five runs in the second and two more in the third. FGCU was able to come back, cutting the deficit to 7-6 but it was as close as the Eagles would get, falling 10-8 in the finale.

"We played two competitive, but completely different games today," said head coach David Deiros. "I'm really looking forward to seeing how we build on our strengths tomorrow."

FGCU 4, #21 FRESNO STATE 3
Patience proved to be a virtue for FGCU to begin the Triple Crown Sports Puerto Vallarta Challenge. The Eagles drew seven walks in the game, four in the decisive second inning, to defeat #21 Fresno State.

After going down in order in the first, the Eagles made the most of their first opportunity, pushing four runs across in the bottom of the second. Following back-to-back walks to lead off the inning, Bri Innamorato (Mullica Hill, N.J./Bishop Eustace HS) continued her hot start to the season, loading the bases with a single. Natalie Lopez (Miami, Fla./Westminster Christian HS) brought the first run of the game home, reaching on an error by the catcher that resulted in Ashley Swiderski (Miami, Fla./Westminster Christian HS) and Brittany McGuire (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra HS) coming around to score. Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) then reached on a single, scoring Innamorato to increase the lead to 3-0 and Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) drew a bases loaded walk to cap the four-run inning for the Eagles.

Working with the lead, Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) struck out the side in the second and retired 13 of the next 15 batters she faced, allowing a single and triple in that time to the Bulldogs.

FGCU meanwhile had a chance to tack on in the fourth after Bree Tourtillott (Dixon, Ill./Oregon HS/Tallahassee Community College) reached on a lead off walk. With Carissa LiCata (Okeechobee, Fla./Okeechobee HS) running for the catcher, the speedster swiped second and moved to third on a Lopez single. FGCU appeared to be in prime position to plate one or more runs in the inning, but a fielder's choice led to both Lopez and LiCata being retired on the play.

As the game reached the final inning, Fresno State mounted one final rally. The Bulldogs reached with three of their first four batters in the inning, bringing Gabbee Draney (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep HS) into a 4-1 ballgame and runners at second and third. Fresno State scored one run on a wild pitch and another on a single following a strikeout, but a fly ball to center ended the game with runners at second and third, giving FGCU a marquis victory.

FGCU collected three hits in the game, off the bats of Huff, Fournet, and Lopez. Randolph remained undefeated on the season (3-0) behind an eight-strikeout performance over 6.1 innings. Draney earned the save, tossing 0.2 innings and allowing two hits in that time.

FGCU 8, TEXAS TECH 10
In a vastly different contest, the Eagles were forced to come from behind in the later contest after taking an early lead. Trailing 7-2 at one point, the Green and Blue closed the gap to 7-6 but FGCU was unable to tie the game.

FGCU carried its momentum from earlier in the day to the nightcap, where Innamorato singled home Swiderski and McGuire, putting the Green in Blue in front 2-0 after the first inning.

The Red Raiders however would come back immediately, plating five runs in the top of the second, with the big blow coming on a Jessica Hartwell grand slam. The deficit later increased to 7-2 in the third, only for FGCU to storm back.

McGuire hit her first home run of the season in the bottom half of the third, cutting the lead to 7-3. Then with two outs, a bases loaded triple courtesy of Huff brought the Eagles to within 7-6 after three innings of play.

The offensive explosion for both teams continued, as Texas Tech plated two more runs in the top of the fourth, but again FGCU had an answer.

Following walks from McGuire and Swiderski, Morgan White (Ocala, Fla./Forest HS) stepped to the plate and hit a two-run double to center to score both runners and cutting the deficit to 10-8.

FGCU brought the potential winning run to the plate in the seventh with two outs, but a ground out ended the late rally for the 10-8 final.

Taylor Wade (Pace, Fla./Pace HS) suffered the loss (2-1) after tossing three innings and allowing seven runs. Draney came on in relief and pitched the final four innings, allowing three runs in that time.

Offensively, Huff, Innamorato and White all had multi-RBI games while McGuire was the lone Eagle to tally multiple hits.

UP NEXT
FGCU is back in action tomorrow beginning at 2 p.m. against Cal State Fullerton. FGCU ends the day with a rematch against Fresno State at 5 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 recently enters his 15th 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 (547-269-3). 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.