FORT MYERS, Fla. – An uncharacteristic performance defensively followed an offensive outburst forcing the FGCU softball team to settle for a split Saturday on Day Three of the Battle at the Beach. The Eagles (16-13) began the day with an 8-0 run-rule victory over Canisius (11-13) before falling to Iowa State (15-16) 5-2 to end the day.

"We put together two energetic efforts but came up short in the second one just because we stepped on our own feet," said head David Deiros. "There aren't many teams in America who can win a game after committing seven errors but you have to give our kids credit because we had the winning run at the plate for our hottest hitter we just couldn't pull it off. We'll take the split and we'll be ready to go tomorrow."

Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) ended a solid offensive day for the Eagles in game one, as the Green and Blue scored eight runs on nine hits, capitalizing on five Canisius errors en route to an 8-0 run-rule win. FGCU scored four times in the first, giving Riley Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) more than enough run support, and the Eagles tacked on one in the second, one in the fifth before ending the game with two in the sixth.

Seven errors was too much to overcome for the Eagles in the nightcap against Iowa State. Taylor Wade ( Pace, Fla./Pace HS) went the distance, allowing no earned runs in a 5-2 loss. FGCU loaded the bases in the seventh and brought Bree Tourtillott (Dixon, Ill./Oregon HS/Tallahassee Community College) to the plate but the Eagles could not complete the comeback.

GAME ONE: FGCU 8, CANISIUS 0 (6 INNINGS)
With two on and one out, Tourtillott drove in Natalie Lopez (Miami, Fla. Westminster/Christian HS) with a single to center to begin what would be a four-run first for the Green and Blue.

Randolph took over, striking out two in the second while FGCU's speed caused a Golden Griffin error that brought Lopez home for her second run of the day and a 5-0 FGCU lead.

The lefty then struck out four of the next six batters she faced, sending FGCU to the fifth with a 5-0 lead. It was in the fifth that FGCU scored again, beginning with a Tourtillott double to left field. FGCU then took advantage of a Canisius error to make it 6-0.

Fournet ended the game with a double to center, scoring two to bring the run rule into effect.

Lopez and Toutillott led the way with two hits each, while Fournet drove in two.

Randolph earned her ninth win of the year, allowing four hits while striking out eight.

GAME TWO: IOWA STATE 5, FGCU 2
Seven errors proved to be too much to overcome as Iowa State scored five unearned runs in the contest.

The Eagles grabbed an early lead, utilizing their speed as Lopez came around to score on an error in the first but the Cyclones came back to score on two errors in the third.

Neither side was able to break through until the sixth when Iowa State scored on a pair of throwing errors to make it 3-1. The visitors scored twice in the seventh sending FGCU to bat with trailing 5-1.

The Eagles nearly pulled off the comeback, loading the bases for the heart of the order. Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) reached on an infield single, scoring Morgan White (Ocala, Fla./Forest HS). The comeback ended with the winning run at the plate however, with FGCU falling 5-2.

Wade (6-6) suffered the hard-luck loss, conceding five unearned runs on nine hits while striking out one.

UP NEXT
The Eagles conclude the week with a pair of games tomorrow, against Drexel and Cleveland 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 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 (558-280-3). 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.