FORT MYERS, Fla. – Speed was a decisive factor for the FGCU softball team in its 3-0 victory over Holy Cross Wednesday night to complete a perfect 3-0 week for the Green and Blue. Scoreless through three innings, the Eagles (13-9) scored a run in the fourth and two in the fifth while Riley Randolph scattered six hits over seven innings to defeat the Crusaders (2-7).

"Riley threw the ball well and when they put the bat on the ball I thought our defense made some nice plays," said head coach David Deiros. "All-in-all it was a nice team effort all the way around and we had to try to win in a different way today by using our speed and some movement to try to put the defense out of position. We did a nice job scratching out some runs."

With hits at a premium for both teams, a LuLu Newmark (Pembroke Pines, Fla./American Heritage HS/Bowling Green) single sparked the Eagles to their first run of the ballgame while speed was the reason behind a two-run fifth. Randolph (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS) struck out six batters, holding the Crusaders to six hits over seven innings to complete the 3-0 victory.

The sophomore left-hander kept the Crusaders in check early in the game, striking out five batters through the first three innings while the Eagles searched for their first hit.

That hit came in the fourth when Newmark singled to right-center and moved to second as the right fielder was unable to handle the ball cleanly. Emily Demurias (Miami, Fla./Killian HS) came on to run for the Newmark, and moved to third when Ashley Swiderski (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier HS) grounded out to second. With Bri Innamorato (Mullica Hill, N.J./Bishop Eustace HS) at the plate, the Eagles caught the Crusaders off guard. The junior laid down a perfect bunt down the first baseline allowing Demurias to come home for the game's first run.

With Randolph stifling the Crusaders, the Eagles gave the sophomore two insurance runs in the fifth. Kelsey Huff (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer HS) reached on a fielder's choice and stole second with Natalie Lopez (Miami, Fla./Westminster Christian HS) at the plate. With a 1-2 count, Lopez hit a slow-roller down the first base line, beating the throw from the pitcher while Huff rounded third. The tag on Huff was not applied in time to give FGCU a 2-0 lead as Lopez scampered to second.

Racquel Fournet (Windermere, Fla./Windermere Preparatory School) then doubled on the second pitch she saw to left-center, easily scoring Lopez.

Holy Cross threatened for the first time in the seventh, putting runners on first and second but Randolph's sixth strikeout secured her seventh victory of the season. The sophomore tossed an economical 71 pitches, striking out six while walking none.

UP NEXT
History could be made Tuesday when FGCU hosts Florida State. The Seminoles currently sit #1 in the latest NFCA poll, and should they remain at the top spot, Tuesday would mark the first time a #1 team in any sport visits Fort Myers. First pitch between the Eagles and #1 Seminoles is scheduled for 6 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 (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.