FORT MYERS, Fla. – The longest home-stretch of the season continues for FGCU softball as the Eagles welcome the top team in the country to kick off a stretch of nine games in six days.

Beginning Tuesday with a contest against the expected #1 team in the country, the Florida State Seminoles, the Eagles also play host to Canisius, IUPUI, Iowa State, Drexel, and Cleveland State. The full schedule of games, including neutral games, is listed below.

Should FSU softball remain at the top of the polls, FGCU softball will be the first to play a #1 team at home in FGCU athletics history.

TICKET INFORMATION
Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $5 for youth. Season tickets meanwhile are $39 for adults and $29 for youth. For those interested in purchasing single-game or season tickets, contact the FGCU ticket office at 239-590-7145 or visit FGCUTickets.com.

SCHEDULE

Tuesday:  6 PM: FGCU vs. FSU Wednesday:  2 PM: FSU vs. Canisius 4:30 PM: FGCU vs. FSU 7 PM: FGCU vs. Canisius Thursday:  2:30 PM: Iowa State vs. IUPUI 4:45 PM: FGCU vs. Iowa State 7 PM: FGCU vs. IUPUI

Friday: 10 AM: Cleveland State vs. IUPUI 12:15 PM: Canisius vs. Cleveland State 2:30 PM: IUPUI vs. Drexel 5 PM: Iowa State vs. Cleveland State 7:15 PM: Drexel vs. Iowa State Saturday:  10 AM: Drexel vs. Canisius 12:15 PM: FGCU vs. Canisius 2:30 PM: Cleveland State vs. Drexel 5 PM: FGCU vs. Iowa State 7:15 PM: IUPUI vs. Cleveland State Sunday:  10 AM: FGCU vs. Drexel 12:15 PM: FGCU vs. Cleveland State

BLUE OUT AND THROWBACK DAYS
Fans are encouraged to wear blue to Tuesday's meeting with the Seminoles for the first Blue Out of the season.
Finally, in celebration of the program's 15th season, when the Eagles close out the week against Drexel and Cleveland State, it will be Throwback Day at the FGCU Softball Complex, featuring throwback uniforms worn by the current Eagles.

FLORIDA STATE WEEK
FGCU's meeting with #1 Florida State Tuesday starts what could be an historic week for the athletic department. In addition to two games against #1 Florida State in softball, FGCU baseball also meets with #1 FSU Wednesday at JetBlue Park.

Thursday marks the beginning of the NCAA Tournament for the men's basketball team and the No. 14 Eagles open against No. 3 Florida State.

The FGCU women's basketball team booked its ticket to the NCAA Tournament and will find out their opponent later today.

THE GREEN AND BLUE
The Eagles ended a brief skid with three wins last week in three very different ways. In FGCU's 12-9 win over Holy Cross to begin the week, the Eagles and Crusaders scored 18 runs over the first three innings with the difference being a three-run first for the Green and Blue

FGCU then won a pitcher's duel over Ball State with a 3-1 final. FGCU took an early 1-0 only for Ball State to score in the fourth to tie the game. The Green and Blue tallied runs in the fifth and sixth innings to complete the victory.

Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) saved her best performance for last, striking out six Crusaders en route to a 3-0 victory to end the week. Randolph paved the way for a hard-fought victory where FGCU utilized its speed in order to come away with the win.

The sophomore continues to lead FGCU with her 2.35 ERA and seven wins on the year. Taylor Wade (Pace, Fla./Pace HS) enters the week with a 5-4 record along with a 4.87 ERA.

The top of the order paces the Green and Blue at the plate. With a .392 average, Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) sets the tone with her average as well as her team-leading 19 runs scored. Natalie Lopez (Miami, Fla./Westminster Christian HS) has stepped into the No. 2 spot in the lineup, hitting .351 since moving up in the order.

Behind her, Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) has picked up where she left off in 2016 driving in 22 RBIs, slightly better than her pace as a freshman when she drove in 45. The biggest difference from 2016 to 2017 for the now-sophomore is her patience at the plate. Fournet drew 21 walks last season and has already reached via the walk 16 times this season.

SCOUTING THE SEMINOLES
After sweeping the Virginia Tech Hokies to open ACC play, the #1 Seminoles enter the week 22-1-1. Florida State's only blemishes are a loss to #18 Texas A&M and a tie with #14 Michigan and come to Fort Myers on an eight-game winning streak. Alex Powers and Morgan Klaevemann are both hitting over .400 this year, combining for 14 doubles, three homers, and 23 RBIs. Jessica Warren poses a different threat at the plate, collecting six home runs and 24 RBIs on the year.

In the circle, Jessica Burroughs and Meghan King highlight a pitching staff with a collective 1.27 ERA. Both Burroughs and King have ERAs under 0.90 and 10 or more wins this season.

FGCU is 0-3 all-time against Florida State and 0-1 against the Seminoles at the FGCU Softball Complex.

SCOUTING THE GRIFFINS
Canisius (9-9) won three of five games at the Under Armour Showcase in Clearwater last weekend, including a win over Holy Cross. Samantha Sharkey has missed five games this season but still leads the Griffins with a .422 average and four stolen bases. Lauren Castro, Moriah Harris, and Lindsey Silfer all bring averages above .300 to Fort Myers with Castro and Harris combining for 25 RBIs.

Madi Weathers and Erika Mackie both have four wins this season and ERAs around 3.30. Castro has also appeared in the circle, earning one win.

FGCU is 2-0 against Canisius all-time, with wins in both 2010 and 2012.  The last time the Eagles met the Griffins, the Eagles earned a 9-0 win at the FGCU Softball Complex.

SCOUTING THE JAGUARS
IUPUI (6-16) took down Nebraska to begin March but went on to lose five-straight following the win over the Huskers. Maggie Good has hit .381 through 22 games this season, leading the team with seven home runs and 25 RBIs. Good's helped by 13 RBIs from Taylor Citwood and 14 more from Roni Patterson, both of whom are also hitting above .300 this season.

In the circle, the Jaguars lean on Nickole Finch who has thrown 71.2 innings this season. Finch in 4-6 this season with a 7.41 ERA and one save.

FGCU and IUPUI will meet for the first time this week.

SCOUTING THE CYCLONES
Iowa State (10-14) has a midweek doubleheader in Orlando against UCF before coming to Southwest Florida. After winning seven-straight, the Cyclones have now lost 11 of their last 14 games including three of five last weekend in Davis, California. Kelsey McFarland has been the most consistent bat for the Cyclones, coming into the week batting .455 with five doubles. Sami Williams meanwhile leads the team with four home runs and 14 RBIs.

Savannah Sanders has earned the most innings this year, tossing 63.2 on her way to a 3-5 record. Brianna Weilbacher comes to Florida with a 5-5 record along with a 3.23 ERA after working 52 innings.

The Eagles and Cyclones split the season series last year, bringing FGCU's all-time record against Iowa State to 2-1.

SCOUTING THE DRAGONS
Drexel's season is just beginning, with the Dragons coming to Southwest Florida with a 3-3 mark. Linda Rush has hit a team-leading three home runs to go along with a .476 average, headlining five total Dragons hitting above .400 this season. Drexel likes to keep its baserunners active, with nine players already with a stolen base this season.

Tara Knopka has secured two of the three wins for Drexel this year. Konopka carries a 2.02 ERA over 17 innings this season.

The upcoming meeting between the Dragons and Eagles will be the first ever meeting between the two programs.

SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
Cleveland State (1-20) has lost 18-straight and plays Indiana State in Clermont before beginning play in Fort Myers. Led by Macy Kaisk, the Vikings have hit seven home runs this season and 15 doubles.

Mackenzie Joecken is 1-8 in her junior year with a 4.46 ERA through 48.2 innings. Alicia Major has also earned significant playing time in the circle, tossing 23.2 innings with a 5.92 ERA.

FGCU and Cleveland State will meet for the first time Sunday.

UP NEXT
FGCU opens ASUN Conference play at home with a three-game series against Jacksonville. The Eagles and Dolphins are set to begin the opener March 25 and wrap up the series March 26.

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 (555-276-3). 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.